‘I never want to forget my encounter with Andy’s solo show at Auckland’s Aotea Centre in July 1996. His art appeared too raw, too streetwise, for that polished and pristine space. The paintings and drawings offered an exhilarating take on a local realism that was much more terrifying than pleasant.’ Ron Brownson.
Andy Leleisi’uao is a contemporary Samoan-New Zealand artist known for his thought-provoking, socially engaged, and highly symbolic works. His art explores themes of migration, cultural identity, social justice, and the human condition, often through intricate, surreal, and allegorical narratives. By merging Pacific motifs with futuristic and dystopian elements, Leleisi’uao constructs alternative realities that challenge dominant perspectives on history, colonialism, and community.
Leleisi’uao’s work is deeply reflective of the Pacific diaspora experience, addressing the struggles, resilience, and aspirations of Pasifika communities. His paintings often depict crowded, utopian or dystopian societies filled with humanoid figures, interconnected beings, and hybrid creatures that symbolize collectivity, displacement, and survival. His visual language critiques socio-political structures while celebrating the vibrancy and adaptability of Pacific culture.
A recurring theme in his art is the concept of “us vs. them,” where he explores power dynamics, exclusion, and the impact of migration on identity. His works are visually dense, drawing the viewer into complex narratives that challenge notions of belonging, progress, and cultural heritage.
A full time artist since 1996, Andy’s CV is accomplished in exhibitions, awards, and residencies. Andy was awarded a scholarship to attend AUT and received a Master of Fine Arts with honours in 2002. He has exhibited throughout New Zealand and has been involved in solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Rarotonga, Germany, Taiwan, and the USA.
Andy has been awarded residencies at the Casula Powerhouse in Sydney, the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury, the Asia NZ Foundation/Taipei Artist Village and McCahon House, Titirangi.
His work is included in the permanent collections of Pātaka Art + Museum, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, the Chartwell Collection, MFAT, the Arts Trust collection, Casula Powerhouse, Sydney and the Museum of Ethnography, Frankfurt, Germany.
Andy was the recipient of the 2017 Wallace Arts Trust Paramount Award and completed a 5 month residency at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York City in 2018. In 2019, his first survey exhibition, KAMOAN MINE curated by Ben Bergman, opened at the TSB Wallace Arts Centre, Hillsborough Rd, Auckland.
In 2021, Andy was presented the Senior Pacific Artist award from Creative New Zealand.
BCA | Bergman Gallery has represented Andy Leleisi'uao since 2008.