Collection: Messini Palace

Messini is an experimental artist and designer of Māori and Pākehā descent who has transformed traditional forms through innovative resin and plaster casting techniques at her central Auckland studio since 2021.

After two decades abroad, her return to Aotearoa in 2017 ignited a profound journey of reconnection with her taha Māori, with her artistic practice becoming instrumental in her reclamation as a wahine Māori. Her whakapapa stands as her greatest influence, with many pieces representing significant tūpuna and kaitiaki that speak to her cultural heritage.

Messini's distinctive work centres on repatriating vintage whakairo rakau (wood carvings) dispersed globally from the 1950s-1990s. By recasting these pieces in vibrant contemporary palettes, she creates a visual bridge between traditional forms and modern urban contexts. This approach extends to her reinterpretation of souvenir pieces like the Hei Tiki, a deliberate counter-critique of tourist trinkets that reclaims the narrative of taonga tuku iho (treasures handed down).

Messini collaborates with master carvers including Mike Matchitt, creating contemporary interpretations that honour traditional Māori artistry while reimagining these forms for modern spaces.

Each meticulously handcrafted mould captures the original carver's marks, preserving the whakapapa and mana of the source material. The translucent resin illuminates intricate carved details, while stone casts create pieces with a luminous, otherworldly presence.

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