Ha Ha

The work of Regan Tamanui (aka HAHA) explores the power of mass media within Australian popular culture. The reality TV phenomena, the religion of sport, criminal lifestyles, get rich quick and instant fame becomes the obsessions, the new virtues of the 21st century.

By using up to 40 multi-layered stencils HAHA’s work is a reflection of popular culture. He gets his images direct from the newspaper or from photographing the subject to tell a story of the here and now. Without the aid of a computer, his cutting technique produces lifelike imagery.

He explores his Maori and Samoan heritage in his referencing and use of traditional Maori tattoo iconography known as Tā moko in his stencilled portraits of Maori men and women. These works also refer to colonial history and the lithographs and sketches of the late 1800s. Tā moko is an example of the tattoo as a specific visual language communicating a wealth of meaning about the cultural identity and status of an individual.

HAHA describes the images and subjects of his own tattoos as depicting, “a journey: images I like with a story”. A tattoo he personally identifies with is that of the infamous and legendary character Ned Kelly; “I believe that street art is like the 21st century bushranger if done illegally”. HAHA is a self-taught artist who started off by spray painting stencils on the street and has since then graduated to the gallery. He has been exhibiting for over 8 years he has held 10 solo shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart and Sydney. He is represented by 3 commercial galleries across Australia. His work can be found in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, BHP Billiton, State Library of Victoria, City of Melbourne, Artbank and private collections across Australia, NZ, UK and USA.

Suggested topics for discussion and research:

Discuss the implications of people adopting tattoo designs and symbols that belong to and refer to cultures other than their own.

Research and present examples that describe the history of stencil making as a technique and art form.

Consider the effects when the art/music/activities of a subculture become main stream and commercialised. Is it still credible? Has it lost what it has been communicating? If it becomes a popular rather than ‘fringe’ activity has it successfully involved more people to think new ideas and experience the world differently?