Sophie Howarth’s first book ‘Peace Love and Brown Rice A Photographic History of the Big Day Out’ captures an important part of Australia’s music culture from the 1990s to mid-2000s. The legacy of her early work is a culturally significant archive of world-class Australian and international rock music artists and the music scene during this period.

HOPONIT’S collaboration with Sophie Howarth creates a new chapter for this important music archive.  Our shared vision and passion is to translate the story of Peace Love and Brown Rice into a curated collection that transports us back to that special moment in time and captures the emotions we felt then.

The 60s: the teenage music scene was bubbling over. Armed with an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic camera, Colin threw caution to the wind and resigned from his job to become the photographer for Australia’s first ever popular music magazine Go Set in 1966.

A whirlwind tour of London and the US followed. Music was the soundtrack for generational change and Colin was in the midst of it all, photographing the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Mamas and Papas, Janis Joplin, The Who, Sonny and Cher (to name but a few). Colin’s photographic archive spans some of the most significant moments in rock and roll history.

Christo is a progressive underground artist.  He’s an incredibly versatile artist who pushes new boundaries with fearless energy and an expert hand. Never far from the ocean, the influence of surfing and his love for music are strong influences evident in his art.

ARMNP is a contemporary artist whose art emerged from Italian skateboarder subculture. 
He has worked on signature design projects in Italy, Los Angeles and internationally.

ARMNP trained as an artist in traditional renaissance style, painting with oils on canvas, but his eclectic style also includes graphic poster art and ink sketches. The Renaissance and Feather and Nail art is from an early and intense period of his artistic journey influenced by skate and street culture.

Nikki’s warm and playful style is inspired by the children she teaches.  She loves more than anything to spend her days painting and drawing and sharing her passion for the creative process with others.

Nikki can be described as a genre painter, capturing scenes from everyday life.  Through her art, she records beautiful and shared moments of human experience.

As well as painting large-scale murals and more serious subject matter, Nikki delights in drawing childlike images.  Her charming dog illustrations in pen and pastel for HOPONIT have a vintage feel, with humour woven through each artwork.

CREAM SURFING

ROYAL INDIGENOUS SURFING

We’re honoured to be working with surfing legend and Captain Good Vibes Robbie Page.  Robbie is one of Australia’s most credentialled indigenous surfers - a big wave rider, Pipeline Master and with many national indigenous surfing titles to his name.  

Royal Indigenous Surfing is Robbie’s dream for an inclusive and welcoming indigenous surfing brand. We respect indigenous heritage as one of the oldest cultures on earth and aim to weave the truth of culture throughout the Royal Indigenous Surfing brand.

Crescent Head NSW is where Robbie has established a shop/surf museum.  Our creative hub for Royal Indigenous Surfing is the HOPONIT Studio on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne.

DJ Andee Frost, otherwise known as the care bear of the Melbourne Music Scene, proudly wears Hoponit’s Mr Bear. What better attire for a keen gardener by day. A true believer in our brand from the get go and one of our favourite Supporters.

Friend Brodie Jackson in Hoponit’s studio discussing artwork for painting on our 88 surfboard. we like Brodie’s simple style - bold colours and block shapes. Thanks for doing something so special for us Brodie.