A FASCINATING exhibition of art opens at Christchurch Regent Centre next week featuring famous subjects such as Elvis Presely, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, and Mike Tyson.

Christchurch artist Peter Castle will present his mixed media portraits from the world of rock and pop from Tuesday, December 30 to Friday, January 23.

One of the most intriguing parts of the exhibition will be his ’27 Club’ series of portraits. This is a nine picture tribute to the many talented musicians and artistes who tragically died at the age of 27.

These include: Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Richie Edwards, Robert Johnson, Tupac Shakur and Amy Winehouse. Why so many have died at the age of 27 is a mystery but Peter believes it is a mystery explained in Numerology of the Pythagorean Theory in the year 590 BC! There is a brief written explanation to accompany the series at the exhibition as well as information on all the other paintings.

There are also portraits of a number of local notables from Christchurch. The late, a well known and popular character in Christchurch, was entered for the prestigious BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery in London 2013 and made the 2nd round of judging to the last 200 from nearly 2,000 entries (an excellent result among such strong and hugely talented, worldwide competition).

Fifty pictures were selected for the final exhibition which finished in September 2013.

Peter Castle’s Exhibition of Portraits can be seen at the Regent in Christchurch from Tuesday, December 30 – Friday January 23