Sculptures exhibit
Pakarati's permanent art exhibition
Easter Island statues are not just about ancient stone heads but are also about modern carvings exploring the motifs and patterns of the past.
Their skill and passion for transforming stone into works of art and craftsmanship is well known locally and has left a lasting imprint on the island's culture.
The older male members of the Pakarati family learned the secrets and techniques of stone carving from their fathers and uncles.
They consider this tradition to be more than a craft, it is a way to connect with their heritage and honor the memory of their ancestors. Through their art, they express their love and respect for the island and its people.
The sculptures of the Pakarati family are recognized for capturing the essence and beauty of the Rapa Nui culture in the characteristic forms and patterns of ancestral art, that which can be seen in the petroglyphs and moai, in the "papa" and "puku" that our ancestors used as workshops and raw material to express themselves.
Each piece is unique and carries with it a particular history and meaning, sometimes it is simply a matter of reproducing an ancient model; in other cases it is a matter of capturing in stone a legend or a tradition.
The Pakarati are experts in working with different types of stone, but the sculptures that you can see in the gardens of Tauraa Hotel are almost all carved in maea tea-tea, a relatively light type of stone, which is found in very few places in the territory.
The Pakarati family's sculptures can be found in various places on the island, such as public spaces and open-air exhibitions.
Their works have been admired by people from all over the world, who marvel at the skill and talent they convey through their sculptures.
Our sculptures are a cultural legacy
In addition to their renowned artistic talent, the Pakarati family has also played a fundamental role in the preservation and promotion of Rapa Nui culture.
Through their work, they have contributed to keeping the tradition alive and sharing its rich history with our visitors.
The Pakarati family's tradition of stone sculptural art is an invaluable treasure for the Rapa Nui culture in general.
Their dedication and passion for the art have left a lasting legacy and have enriched our understanding and appreciation for the culture we inherited.
