Artist pays tribute to Carmen

Kiwi artist HAHA (Regan Tamanui) will celebrate the life of transgender icon Carmen Rupe at the urban arts initiative Project Five this weekend.

“My first memory of Carmen was when I was 11. Not knowing what a transsexual was, I thought she was amazing yet unusual and she has always stuck in my memory,” said Tamanui.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to pay my respects by celebrating her life via my work at Project Five. I will use six colours to stencil her portrait.”

HAHA, famous for his stencils of well known figures including Ned Kelly and Michael Jackson, will paint his Carmen Rupe portrait throughout the weekend at the new home for Project Five at the The Rocks Square. The exhibition will run from 6-9pm on March 9, then from 12-3pm on March 10 and 11.

info: www.project5.com.au