The artist

Andrés Pakarati, 33 year old, artist , tattooist and traditional Polynesian carver, lives and works in Hanga roa, Easter Island. Coming from a traditional Rapa Nui artist family (carvers, musicians and sculptors) from ancient times, where the tradition is passed generation to generation. He started is work like a traditional Polynesian artist when he was only 16 year old. He first worked as a tattooist and after this he was interested in the traditional carvings that eventually took him to contemporary art and sculpture. The most of his work can be found in many places around the world: from the prestige Ganesha gallery in Tahiti to private collections in Europe, the U.S. and Chile. His works are rich in fine details and expression, and his creations go from Polynesian musical instruments, to traditional carvings and contemporary sculptures.

Polynesian art

around the world the art of polynesia is recognized by his unique and fine quality work. they were the same men, who colonized the whole pacific ocean, the ones who, thru his art and history left us his particular vision about the man, the nature and the magic. between whole polynesia Easter Island is considered to be one of the most mysterious and amazing cultures of the south pacific, located in an edge of the polynesia this isolated piece of land, so called rapa nui for his original population, is were can be many of the representative and admired woodcarving masterpiece in the pacific culture.

The wood carvings

The wood carvings with figurative forms are very common in the polynesia. every island have is own traditional figure: the moai pa’a pa’a in Easter Island (Rapa Nui), the tiki in the Marquesas ( Fenua Enata), lono in Hawai’i , etc. All of them have got the same structure where the hand position, eyes and mouth have a critical importance in the expression and the meaning of the figure. Most of the times, the carving represents a mythological being with a zoomorphic form, but in other cases the figure only represents a human being .

The Navigators

The European navigators, in their trips to Polynesia took many of these figures with them to the Old World as they were so impressed by the fine quality of this work. Then, many of these carvings finally finished as parts of private collections or permanent museum exhibitions around Europe -like Saint Petersburg Museum in Russia or the British Museum in London-. As a result of this action, it’s impossible to find any original ancient carvings on Easter Island.

Necklaces and pendant

The necklace and the pendant with diverse forms like fishhooks , spirals , animals , human figures and abstract forms are very popular in the Polynesia. Used by a great part of the population, is one of the favorite ornaments especially for the youngest. The main significance of this object is to give protection to its owner (amulet), There are three different reasons to wear an amulet of this kind: protection, identification and for mere ornamentation. In ancient times these amulets had the same purpose and were even more used. Their mystic qualities of protection were more present in the beliefs, life and mind of the Polynesian people.

The mangai

This necklace with fishhook shape was used in ancient times with this purpose was eventually used like an amulet of prosperity, abundance, protection and good luck specially for those who get in to the ocean. This amulet with diverse shapes and artworks which go from traditional to modern design , manufactured in many different materials like bone, stone, shells and wood . This is how the mangai is, indeed, the most popular pendant used by the Polynesians in the modern times.