Raes on Wategos’ 2024 Artist In Residence—Eytan Messiah

Arts & Culture

11 Mar

Written By Hande Renshaw

In collaboration with Maison Perrier-Jouët, Raes on Wategos presents Eytan Messiah as its 2024 Artist In Residence, weaving in Art Deco and Mediterranean references for his bespoke tiles and ceramic mural for the luxury travel destination.

Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Courtesy of Raes on Wategos

Each year, Raes hand selects an artist of a different medium to stay and create a collection of pieces inspired by the hotel and home.

Following a successful residency in 2022, Eytan Messiah has returned to Raes to revitalise its iconic pool.

“My residency at Raes has been a deeply immersive experience—glazed ceramic tiles have adorned our human history for thousands of years and I’m always keen for my work to centre around these valuable traditions.”

— Eytan Messiah

‘Art has historically been woven into the fabric of the Raes identity so it’s important for us to continue its evolution, whilst maintaining relevance to our past and present,’ says Raes General Manager, Marty McCaig.

Tiles feature alongside a larger decorative mural with a button inviting guests to *press for champagne*, to which glasses of Perrier-Jouët are delivered poolside.

‘Our *Artist in Residence* programme is a testament to our appreciation for creativity and the power of artistic expression,’ says Marty McCaig.

Raes on Wategos is one of Australia’s most beautiful luxury travel destinations, embodying the essence of Byron Bay's internationally acclaimed take on relaxed luxury. Perched next to Wategos Beach, the magical location has a strong sense of place and is focused on local and sustainable sourcing.

Since 2019, Raes has celebrated a connection to the local art community with its Artist in Residence programme, in collaboration with Maison Perrier-Jouët. The residency is a decadent dialogue between art, champagne and boutique luxury, which are central to the Raes ethos.

Each year, Raes handpicks an artist to reside at the hotel and craft a collection of artwork that reflects the essence of the hotel, in the artist's unique medium. The series includes previous partnerships with French-born Australian artist Stanislas Piechaczek, and men’s resort label COMMAS.

This year, Raes has partnered with Eytan Messiah, its second after a successful residency in 2022, which included a series of captivating ceramic artworks—the pieces now reside at the hotel and are also available to purchase via the Raes website.

‘Following on from Eytan Messiah's residency in 2022, we reignited our mutual love for the existing tile work across the property and we’re thrilled to now showcase Eytan’s artistry in a new and exciting form, bringing a fresh perspective to our iconic pool,’ says Raes general manager, Marty McCaig.

For his current residency, Eytan Messiah has extended his artistic vision to refresh Raes pool with bespoke ceramic tiles that are displayed in the hotel’s private pool. The tiles feature alongside a larger decorative mural with a button inviting guests to Press for Champagne, to which glasses of Perrier-Jouët will be delivered poolside. The ultimate indulgence!

‘My residency at Raes on Wategos has been a deeply immersive experience,’ says Eytan. ‘Glazed ceramic tiles have adorned our human history for thousands of years and I’m always keen for my work to centre around these valuable traditions. The beauty and history of the Wategos area as well as the hotel itself have been a rich palette to draw from. My handcrafted tiles and ceramic mural look to celebrate these elements and add to the story of Raes.’

The tile designs are a thoughtful representation of Raes’ rich history and an ode to the legacy of the Wategos family, the designs feature a banana palm as a central motif that symbolises the hotel's evolution from untamed bushland to a luxury travel destination. Eytan has also weaved in Art Deco and Mediterranean references into the design, drawing inspiration from the hotel's architectural elegance.

There’s also a nod to the ocean in the design—a connection to Raes enviable beachfront location. Salmon pink hues echo the sunsets that grace the horizon, while geometric lines reminiscent of Raes’ original painted façade bring a touch of nostalgia.

Eytan's design emphasises artisanal craftsmanship, leaning in to importance of handcrafted tiles in the modern day struggle against mass production. Traditional techniques have been embraced, the tiles are locally-made, small-batch artisanal tiles.

‘Art has historically been woven into the fabric of the Raes identity so it’s important for us to continue its evolution, whilst maintaining relevance to our past and present. Our Artist in Residence programme is a testament to our appreciation for creativity and the power of artistic expression,’ adds Marty.

Eytan Messiah’s tile and ceramic mural are now displayed in the Raes pool, with a limited-run of the handcrafted tiles available to purchase via the Raes on Wategos website.

Hande Renshaw

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