Andy Leleisi'uao
{{Short description|New Zealand Samoan artist (born 1969)}}{{Infobox artist
| name = Andy Leleisi'uao
| nationality = New Zealand
| awards = 2021 Senior Pacific Artist Award, 2017 Paramount Winner, 26th annual Wallace Art Awards
| alma_mater = Auckland University of Technology
| style = figurative paintings
| known_for = painting
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1969}}
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
}}
{{use New Zealand English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
Andy Leleisi’uao (b. 1969) is a New Zealand artist of Samoan heritage known for his modern and post-modern Pacific paintings and art.{{Cite web|last=Tokalau|first=Torika|date=2021-11-15|title=Pacific artists recognised for contribution to Pacific art in Aotearoa|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/126988900/pacific-artists-recognised-for-contribution-to-pacific-art-in-aotearoa|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Stuff |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-22 |title=Pacific contribution to art recognised |url=https://www.mpp.govt.nz/news-and-events/2021/pacific-contribution-to-art-recognised/ |website=Ministry for Pacific Peoples}}
Background
Leleisi’uao was born in 1969 New Zealand and grew up in Māngere, South Auckland. He has one sister, his parents were both born in Samoa and are Pepe (Lalomauga, Upolu) and Tuifa’asisina Tinou'amea (Palauli, Savai'i).{{Cite web|title=Mapping Creative Hustle|url=https://www.mangereotahuhuarts.org.nz/andy-leleisiuao|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Arts|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Andy LELEISI'UAO|url=https://collection.wallaceartstrust.org.nz/persons/18/andy-leleisiuao|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Wallace Arts Trust Collection Online|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Andy Leleisi'uao {{!}} 55 Artworks at Auction|url=https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Andy-Leleisi-uao/6F02BA60D3F569EC|access-date=2022-02-13|website=MutualArt|language=en}} Leleisi'uao went to Māngere College and afterwards had some factory jobs.{{Cite web|last=Dionne|first=Christian|title=Wallace winner feels the magic|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/wallace-art-award-winner-andy-leleisiuao-feels-the-magic/IIZVXSMC6PJSJ3G7C6JWQAXGEE/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} He studied at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Art and Design and received the first ever Pasifika Scholarship in 2000. In 2002 Leleisi’uao graduated with a Master of Fine Arts (with Honours).{{cite thesis |last=Leleisi'uao |first=Andy |year=2004 |type=Masters thesis |title=My Samoan accent: An investigation discussing issues that emanate out of my identity as a New Zealand born Samoan artist |publisher=Tuwhera Open Access, Auckland University of Technology |hdl=10292/11195}} He has been a full time artist since 1996.{{Cite web|title=Current Exhibitions|url=https://www.hastingscityartgallery.co.nz/current-exhibitions/article/321/andy-leleisiuao-kamoan-mine|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Hastings City Art Gallery}}
He has attended a number of arts residencies including a Research Scholarship at Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury, and the McCahon House Artists’ Residency in 2010.{{Cite web|title=Andy Leleisi’uao {{!}} McCahon House|url=https://mccahonhouse.org.nz/residency/alumni/andy-leleisiuao|access-date=2022-02-13|website=McCahon House|language=en}} He spent three months in Taiwan in 2010 on an Asia New Zealand Foundation residency with the Taipei Artist Village.{{Cite web|title=Controversial "Kamoan" artist Andy Leleisi'uao to complete inaugural Taiwanese arts residency – profile –|url=https://artradarjournal.com/controversial-kamoan-artist-andy-leleisiuao-to-complete-inaugural-taiwanese-arts-residency-profile/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=ArtRadarJournal}}
Leleisi'uao has been based in the Auckland suburb of Māngere for over 40 years. He said about artists in an interview with Ema Tavola "For any artist to be mentally fecund, they have to be open."
Some of the visual references in his work are Stone Age rock art, classical Greek vase painting, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Samoan siapa (tapa) cloth.{{Cite web|title=Andy Leleisi'uao|url=https://www.milfordgalleries.co.nz/queenstown/artists/213-Andy-Leleisiuao|access-date=2022-02-14|website=Milford Galleries Queenstown|language=en}} 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 work style 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'.{{Cite web|date=2017-10-27|title=Andy Leleisi’uao wins prestigious Wallace art award|url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/andy-leleisiuao-wins-prestigious-wallace-art-award-jd-209255|access-date=2022-02-13|website=NBR|language=en}}
Leleisi'uao had quite a few exhibitions in 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.{{Cite web |title=A Diasporic Pulse of Faith & Patience {{!}} Andy Leleisi’uao |url=https://artnow.nz/exhibitions/a-diasporic-pulse-of-faith-patience-andy-leleisiuao |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Artnow |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rachel |title=An Art Journey to Venice |url=https://issuu.com/escapemagazineck/docs/escape_32 |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=Issuu |publisher=Escape Magazine of the Cook Islands}} In 2021, Leleisi'uao and Bergman Gallery participated in Tokyo International Art Fair, Japan{{Cite web |date=2023-10-19 |title=Tokyo International Art Fair 2021 Official Catalogue |url=https://issuu.com/globalartagency/docs/tiaf2021_catalogue_final |website=Issuu}}
His 2006 exhibition Empowered Wallflower - Whitespace, Ponsonby was about a new generations relationship to Fa'a Samoa and how domestic aspects such as using a traditional salu broom are important.{{Cite web|date=2006-03-28|title=Andy Leleisi'uao "Empowered Wallflower"|url=https://www.thebigidea.nz/node/172708|access-date=2022-02-13|website=The Big Idea|language=en}}
In 2017 he won the Wallace Art Awards including a six-month residency in New York the 'International Studio and Curatorial Programme'.
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 Pātaka Art + Museum.{{Cite web |title=Dispersed Humanoids Part I |url=https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/collection/2020001/item/dispersed-humanoids-part-i |access-date=2022-02-13 |website=Christchurch Art Gallery}}
Awards
- 2017 - Paramount winner at the 26th annual Wallace Art Awards{{Cite web |date=2017-09-13 |title=Paramount winner at Wallace Art Awards from South Auckland |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201858361/paramount-winner-at-wallace-art-awards-from-south-auckland |access-date=2022-02-13 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
- 2021 - Senior Pacific Artist Award - Arts Pasifika Awards - Creative New Zealand.
Selected residencies
- 2018 - 5 months residency at International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), New York, United States of America
- 2010 - McCahon House Artist Residency, McCahon Trust, Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand
- 1999 - Research Scholarship at Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury
- 2010 - Asia New Zealand Foundation residency with the Taipei Artist Village, Taiwan
Selected solo exhibitions
This is a small selection of exhibitions. By 2019 Leleisi'uao had already had 85 solo exhibitions, and many groups ones.
- 2024: Archipelago Area 51, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- 2023: Andy Leleisi'uao: Beautiful Evening, Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery, New Zealand{{Cite web |title=Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery {{!}} Andy Leleisi’uao: Unbeautiful evening |url=https://www.teuru.org.nz/whats-on/calendar/andy-leleisiuao-unbeautiful-evening/ |access-date=2023-10-19 |language=en-US}}
- 2021: An Uncanny Catharsis of Unrequited Bones’ - Artis Gallery, Parnell, New Zealand{{Cite web |date=2021-11-23 |title=Exhibition {{!}} Artis Gallery - Andy Leleisi'Uao |url=https://www.parnell.net.nz/exhibition-artis-gallery-andy-leleisiuao/ |access-date=2022-02-13 |website=Parnell |language=en-US}}
- 2021: Consiliation Gatherers, Milford Galleries, Queenstown, New Zealand
- 2019: Andy Leleisi'uao, Bergman Gallery, Tokyo International Art Fair, Tokyo, Japan
- 2019: A Diasporic Pulse of Faith and Patience, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- 2019: KAMOAN MINE (survey exhibition), TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Pah Homestead, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2019: Embryonic Uslands, Milford Galleries, Dunedin, New Zealand
- 2018: Mangere Aroha, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- 2018: A Clouded Diaspora, Milford Galleries, Queenstown, New Zealand
- 2017: Untitled, Fresh Gallery, Ōtara, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2016: Ubiquitous People of Erodipolis, Milford Galleries, Dunedin, New Zealand
- 2015: Atmosphere People of Moana, Milford Galleries, Dunedin, New Zealand
- 2014: Waking up to the Obscurity People, Te Uru Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |title=Andy Leleisi'uao |url=https://bergmangallery.co.ck/artists/andy-leleisiuao/ |access-date=2022-02-13 |website=BERGMAN GALLERY |language=en-NZ}}
- 2014: Waking up to the Oculus People, Milford Galleries, Queenstown, New Zealand
- 2013: The Choirs of Lupotea, Milford Galleries, Dunedin, New Zealand
- 2012: Polyneitus Spring, Milford Galleries, Dunedin, New Zealand
- 2011: The Ufological City of New York, BCA Gallery (now Bergman Gallery), VOLTA New York, New York, United States of America
- 2011: The World of Erodipolis, Milford Galleries, Dunedin, New Zealand
- 2009: Asefeka of the Unmalosa, Kips Gallery, Chelsea, New York, United States of America
- 2006: Andy Leleisi'uao: Empowered Wallflower - Whitespace, Ponsonby, New Zealand
- 2005: Cheeky Darkie - Whitespace, Ponsonby (featuring miniature sculptures), New Zealand
Selected group exhibitions
This is a small selection of exhibitions. By 2019 Leleisi'uao had already had 85 solo exhibitions, and many groups ones.{{Cite web|title=Book: Andy Leleisi'uao - KAMOAN MINE|url=https://shop.moanafresh.com/products/copy-of-lovers-series-watercolours-on-paper-by-andy-leleisiuao-limited-edition-1-4|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Moana Fresh|language=en}}
- 2024: Horizon 2, Bergman Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |title=Horizon 2 |url=https://artnow.nz/exhibitions/horizon-2 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Artnow |language=en}}
- 2024: South-Versed24, Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |title=Artist talk South-Versed 24: Diasporisms - Auckland - Eventfinda |url=https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/artist-talk-south-versed-24-diasporisms/auckland/mangere |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.eventfinda.co.nz}}
- 2023: Horizon, Bergman Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |title=Horizon |url=https://artguide.artforum.com/artguide/bergman-gallery-auckland-22221/horizon-221095 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=artguide.artforum.com |language=en-US}}
- 2023: South-Versed23, Depot Artspace, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |title=SOUTH-VERSED 23 at Depot Artspace {{!}} Artsdiary 3935 |url=https://www.artsdiary.co.nz/170/3935.html |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=www.artsdiary.co.nz}}
- 2023: Tusiata o le Tala le Vavau: Artists of the Forever Stories, Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |title="Tusiata O Le Tala O Le Vavau" at Mangere Arts Centre {{!}} Artsdiary 3927 |url=https://artsdiary.co.nz/170/3927.html |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=artsdiary.co.nz}}
- 2022: Fa'atasi, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands{{Cite web |title=Fa’atasi |url=https://artnow.nz/exhibitions/faatasi |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Artnow |language=en}}
- 2022: Te Atuitanga - Beneath our Cloak of Stars, Bergman Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand{{Cite web |last=Vano |first=Kendall |date=2022-07-13 |title=Bergman Gallery Exhibition: Te Atuitanga - Between our Cloak of Stars |url=https://tpplus.co.nz/arts-music/bergman-gallery-exhibition-te-atuitanga-between-our-cloak-of-stars/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=TP+ |language=en-NZ}}
- 2019: The Big Blue, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands{{Cite web |title=Andy Leleisi'uao - Exhibitions |url=https://bergmangallery.com/artists/36-andy-leleisiuao/exhibitions/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Bergman Gallery |language=en}}
- 2018: MPA1, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- 2017: Return to Havaiki, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- 2010: MANUIA, BCA Gallery (now Bergman Gallery) the American Indian Community House, New York, United States of America{{Cite web |title=A Diasporic Pulse of Faith & Patience {{!}} Andy Leleisi’uao |url=https://artnow.nz/exhibitions/a-diasporic-pulse-of-faith-patience-andy-leleisiuao |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Artnow |language=en}}
Book
- Andy Leleisi'uao: KAMOAN MINE (Bergman Gallery, TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Creative New Zealand, 2019){{Cite book |last=Bergman |first=Ben |title=Andy Leleisi'uao: MAMOAN MINE |publisher=Bergman Gallery, TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Creative New Zealand |year=2019 |location=Auckland, new Zealand |language=en}}
References
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Category:21st-century New Zealand painters
Category:21st-century New Zealand male artists