Whānau Ariki Cubes

Resin

35 mm × 30 mm

Whanau Ariki are celestial beings, the stars, planets, meteors, Sun and Moon that light up the night sky Korowai of Sky Father, Ranginui Te Pō.

These Wheku (Ancestor) cubes are cast from what were originally whakairo rakau (wood carving) vintage salt and pepper shakers that were carved by the now defunct carving schools in Rotorua from around Mid Century -80s, for a predominantly tourist market.

Messini has moulded out the holes that once allowed the food to be contained and poured, eliminating the element of ‘Tapu’ and creating an unrestricted state of ‘Noa’, or everyday item.

Through modern mediums such as resin, contemporary colour palettes and light play, these pieces have been given a new journey and space to be gifted or treasured as kaitiaki (protectors).

Every Whanau Ariki Cube is individually handmade from the mould, casting and hand colouring in Fluro and iridescent colour palette to finishing, making each piece subtly unique.