Mini Wheku

Ancestral Guardian for Your  Home
The Mini Wheku by Messini offers an exquisite opportunity to bring traditional Māori artistry into contemporary spaces. Each piece represents a sacred guardian figure (kaitiaki) or ancestor (tūpuna), reimagined through Messini's distinctive artistic lens.

Meticulous Handcrafted Artistry
Every Mini Wheku begins as a ceramic casting of an original carving, transformed through a meticulous five-day process. Messini applies four precise coats of paint before setting authentic paua shell inlay eyes, creating a striking contrast that animates each guardian figure. This labour-intensive process ensures each piece possesses its own unique character and energy.

Cultural Significance
Traditionally positioned at the apex of meeting house gables to watch over gatherings, each Wheku features the distinctive Pukana (protruding tongue)—an expression conveying profound emotion in Māori performance arts. This important cultural element connects the contemporary piece to centuries of Māori artistic tradition.

Bridging Tradition and Innovation
Messini's artistic practice seamlessly merges traditional Toi Māori, particularly whakairo rakau (wood carving), with contemporary mediums and vibrant colour palettes. Each Mini Wheku embodies her journey of cultural reconnection, making it both a striking decorative accent and a meaningful taonga for discerning collectors.

Dimensions: 72mm (W) x 112mm (H) x 18mm (D)

Each Mini Wheku is handcrafted in Messini's Auckland studio. Sold individually.