Rafael Chon'ijich was born around 1714 in K'onip, the third largest city in the Great Haruwin of the Selk'nam. His family was relatively middle class for the region. His father was a craftsman, but he specialized in pottery. Rafael took an immediate interest in pottery, and he always remembered his roots in pottery. It is said that he always carries his first notable piece of pottery with him in his bags. In 1735, he completed the work he is best known for in the Haruwin, Rafael's Pillar. It was the first major work of Western art in native Atlantia.