We all know deep in our heart what fills our soul, what motivates us, what is what we like to do. Well, this was my decision: to become an artist. The truth is that the only thing that supports my decision was to know that ever since I was a kid I liked to draw and when I was 18, almost unconsciously and from scratch, I held my first exhibition.

There were 8 paintings. With my grandfather Juan, Mayor at that time, I got some panels and white paint. The Principal of Easter Island’s Primary School let me use the Gym of the school. In that place I painted and arrange the panels and I turned on the lights. Then I waited. My uncle Bene Aucara Tuki, nowadays a prominent Rapa Nui artist, came in and said: “son, may I put some of my carvings under the panels?”

For me, it was like a lifesaver and that’s how my first exhibition, at age 18 was set up. And that’s how it became part of the Tapati Rapa Nui (Easter Island Week) and it was also part of the great celebration of the 100 years of the annexation of the insular territory to the continental territory.

The Governor, Mayor, authorities, an article for Papeete, Tahiti’s Nou Bell, even Toribio Merino came through that gym. The magic of those moments changed my perspective. To be honest I didn’t realize the meaning of what happened until some years later but I can’t explain how it felt.

This has been a tough decision that cost me a lot, even a family. It is very hard for me to see myself in a picture. I find it difficult to speak about the meaning of the things I see but this is my decision: I am TUKI, a Rapa Nui artist.