Andy LeleisiâÂÂuao (born 1969) is a New Zealand artist of Samoan heritage known for his modern and post-modern Pacific paintings and art. He was paramount winner at the 26th annual Wallace Art Awards in 2017 and awarded a Senior Pacific Artist Award at the Arts Pasifika Awards in 2021.
LeleisiâÂÂuao was born in 1969 New Zealand and grew up in MÃÂngere, South Auckland. His parents were both born in Samoa. Pepe (Lalomauga, Upolu) and Savea TuifaâÂÂasisina Tinou'amea (Palauli, Savai'i). Leleisi'uao has been a full time artist since 1996.
He was awarded a full scholarship at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Art and Design and received the first ever Pasifika Scholarship in 2000. In 2002 LeleisiâÂÂuao graduated with a Master of Fine Arts (with Honours).
He has served a number of art residencies including a Research Scholarship and an Artist in Residence at Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies (Christchurch), Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (Sydney), BCA Gallery Residency (Cook Islands), McCahon HouseÃÂ ResidencyÃÂ (Auckland). Taipei Artist Village He spent three months in (Taiwan). Unitec Residency (Auckland), ISCP Residency (New York), Maria Valeria Residency (Slovakia), MÃÂngere Arts Centre (Auckland).
It is said in his paintings that reoccurring motifs, "remind us of the inherent humanity of his creatures, and the universality of their struggle and endeavour within a limited existence". His visual language has changed over the years of his practice, in the late 1990s his paintings were highly politicized dealing with subjects such as prejudice and racism, poverty and youth suicide amongst Pacific Island populations in New Zealand. Since the 2000s his work utilises 'mythology and spiritualism' with 'fantastical creatures' although still drawing upon 'social dislocation'.
LeleisiâÂÂuao had almost 100 solo exhibitions including New York City. In 2009, Leleisi'uao had a solo exhibition Asefeka of the Unmalosa in Kips Gallery, Chelsea, New York. he returned to New York City in 2010 with the BCA group show MANUIA, co-curated by Mahiriki Tangaroa and Ben Bergman, exhibiting with artists Mike Tavioni, Michel Tuffery, Sylvia Marsters, Kay George, Jerome Shedden, and Mahikiri Tangaroa. In 2011, Leleisi'uao had a solo exhibition The Ufological City of New York with BCA Gallery (now Bergman Gallery) at VOLTA New York. In 2021, Leleisi'uao and Bergman Gallery participated in Tokyo International Art Fair, Japan
In 2017 he won the Wallace Art Awards including a six-month residency in New York the 'International Studio and Curatorial Programme'. and was awarded the Creative New Zealand Senior Pacific Art Award in 2021.
In May 2023, there was an exhibition of Leleisi'uao's work in Te Uru WaitÃÂkere Contemporary Gallery titled Unbeautiful Evening, where some of his damaged works were affected by the catastrophic 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods are displayed.
His art work is held in the collections of Christchurch Art Gallery, The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland Art Gallery, Chartwell Trust, Arts House Trust, University of Auckland, Casula Powerhouse, Museum der Weltkulturen, University of Canterbury, Auckland Council and PÃÂtaka Art + Museum.
This is a small selection of exhibitions. By 2019 Leleisi'uao had already had 85 solo exhibitions, and many groups ones.
This is a small selection of exhibitions. By 2019 Leleisi'uao had already had 85 solo exhibitions, and many groups ones.