Hilary Wardhaugh, 'Zev and Nick'
52.53 × 64.41 cm
Canson Photographique ll Matt
Edition 1/2 +AP
$1500
Zev and Nick met 15 years ago and together for 8 years. Their relationship developed over time and they now share a home and often a bed. They have plans for the future. Zev is queer and 7 months into their relationship began medically transitioning. Nick also has a girlfriend and they have been going out for three years. Zev is not in an any other relationship at present. Zev and Nick’s relationship is non-monogamous and they love each other.
The portrait is part of a series of portraits called Love and Companionship that explores the evolving nature of human relationships, challenging traditional ideas of love and companionship. It reflects diverse experiences of companionship, intimacy, and support—whether through romance, friendship, or community. The work invites viewers to consider the many ways we find connection, love, and belonging in our lives.
Hilary Wardhaugh – CV (Selected Solo Exhibitions & Major Projects) Hilary Wardhaugh is a Canberra-based photographic artist, curator, and activist whose work critically engages with social, environmental, and feminist themes. Her solo exhibitions include You Cannot Trust an Open Sky at ANCA Gallery, Dickson (2025); Monachopsis at Canberra Contemporary Artspace (2024); Pictures of You at Belconnen Arts Centre (2022–23); and Memories Are Made of This (2019) and #welcomenotwelcome (2018) at CCAS Manuka. Her earlier works include Die Like a Dog (2009), Fathers and Sons (2008), and The 30 Something Woman (1998), reflecting a sustained commitment to storytelling through visual documentary.
A defining project in Wardhaugh’s practice is the internationally recognised #everydayclimatecrisis Visual Petition. Conceived and led by Wardhaugh, the petition brought together 1,247 images from women and non-binary photographers across Australia, visually documenting the lived realities of climate change. Formally launched by Hon. Linda Burney MP at PhotoAccess in 2022 and accompanied by a panel discussion and curated projection, the petition was tabled in the Australian Parliament on 28 July 2022—a permanent record in Hansard.
The project culminated in Through Our Eyes: Climate Change in Focus, a curated exhibition held at the Australian Embassy Berlin (Dec 2024–June 2025), offering international audiences a deeply personal, collective message from Australian women on the climate crisis. The petition stands as a powerful feminist act of photo activism, turning visual storytelling into policy protest.
Wardhaugh’s work is held in the collections of the National Library of Australia and Parliament House. Her practice continues to use photography as a tool for social commentary, collaboration, and change— challenging systems of power while amplifying underrepresented voices through lens-based media.