Bene Tuki Paté was born in Rapa Nui in 1946 into a family of 12 children. He is one of the best contemporary Rapanui artists. He inherited the ability to carve stone and wood from his father, grandparents, and ancestors. He has rescued ancient forms and added his own personal style. His carvings are part of his living memory, but his works are not replicas, as they reflect his style and creativity. The artist has managed to keep the tradition of his ancestors alive, rescuing the symbolic and sacred value of Rapanui sculptural art through aesthetic innovation of traditional forms.

The master died in November 2022, leaving more than 50 wooden sculptures as a legacy for future generations. They are now exhibited at the Museo de la Escultura Aukara. Furthermore, more than 20 of his large stone and wood sculptures are part of private collections, art galleries and conserved in museums around the world.

His ultimate wish was to perpetuate the memory of the traditional sculpture by teaching it to the world and his people's young sculptors. Bene's reflection on his work was: "I've been my own master in what I want to do permanently [...] My works go beyond my individuality because they represent my people, our culture, and preserving them connects us to the past and gives us a contemporary identity.”

Further Reading

Tuki, Bene and Ana Maria Arredondo. 2020. Una vida dedicada a la Escultura. Trayectoria de su obra. Rapa Nui: Editorial Aukara.

Tuki, Bene and Ana Maria Arredondo. 2023. Memorias de un koro. Bene Tuki, un hombre de Rapa Nui. Rapa Nui: Editoral Aukara.

About the museum

Centro de Arte y Cultura Aukara
Galeria de Arte / Museo de la Escultura
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Website: under construction

For more information, please see this article by Paulo Rosetti, published in El Correo del Moai.

 

Ana Maria Arredondo is a historian and director of the Museo de Esculturas Aukara.