Andy Leleisi'uao

Andy Leleisi’uao (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.

Background Leleisi’uao was born in 1969 New Zealand and grew up in Māngere, South Auckland. His parents were both born in Samoa. Pepe (Lalomauga, Upolu) and Savea Tuifa’asisina 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 Leleisi’uao 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 House Residency (Auckland). Taipei Artist Village He spent three months in (Taiwan). Unitec Residency (Auckland), ISCP Residency (New York), Maria Valeria Residency (Slovakia), Māngere 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".

Leleisi’uao had almost 100 solo exhibitions including New York City. 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'.

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. 2021 - Senior Pacific Artist Award - Arts Pasifika Awards - Creative New Zealand. 2021: An Uncanny Catharsis of Unrequited Bones’ - Artis Gallery, Parnell, New Zealand 2021: Consiliation Gatherers, Milford Galleries, Queenstown, New Zealand 2019: Andy Leleisi'uao, Bergman Gallery, Tokyo International Art Fair, Tokyo, Japan 2014: Waking up to the Oculus People, Milford Galleries, Queenstown, New Zealand 2005: Cheeky Darkie - Whitespace, Ponsonby (featuring miniature sculptures), New Zealand

2024: Horizon 2, Bergman Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand 2024: South-Versed24, Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland, New Zealand 2023: Horizon, Bergman Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand 2023: South-Versed23, Depot Artspace, Auckland, New Zealand 2023: Tusiata o le Tala le Vavau: Artists of the Forever Stories, Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland, New Zealand 2022: Fa'atasi, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands 2022: Te Atuitanga - Beneath our Cloak of Stars, Bergman Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand 2019: The Big Blue, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands 2018: MPA1, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Book Andy Leleisi'uao: KAMOAN MINE (Bergman Gallery, TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Creative New Zealand, 2019)