Portrait of Haoui Montaug by Cara Perlman
Portrait of Haoui Montaug

1981

Finger-painting on paper

20 x 16 inches

Contact gallery for price.

When Maggie Smith, a social activist, opened Tin Pan Alley in 1978 she wanted to create a welcoming environment for locals in the economically depressed neighborhood of Times Square known as a center of the sex trade. The arrival of downtown artists in 1980 diversified the crowd, and with the later addition of exhibitions and performances it echoed the creative dialogue that began at the Times Square Show in 1980. For a time the bar was largely run by women artists: Cara Perlman, Jane Sherry, Nan Goldin, and Ulli Rimkus were bartenders, and Kiki Smith was the cook. It was at Tin Pan Alley where Cara Perlman created her finger-paint portraits, including this example of Haoui Montaug.

Haoui Montaug was a key player in the shaping of NYC nightlife during the 1980s, being doorman at Hurrah, Palladium, Studio 54, and Danceteria. He held a cabaret called No Entiendes! at Danceteria and gave many aspiring artists their first opportunity at performing, including an unknown Danceteria waitress named Madonna. She was present via telephone at Haoui’s suicide party in 1991. Remember those?! When he could no longer take the pain and degradation of complications from AIDS, Haoui Montaug threw a farewell party and invited his closest friends. At the gathering Montaug swallowed five Seconal barbiturate pills, and went into a deep labored sleep, but kept breathing to the dismay of the guests. His guests remained the next morning when he awoke in a fury. He finally swallowed 20 more pills and died posthaste.

G.E.

Work by Cara Perlman