Andy Leleisi’uao is one of the most significant Pacific artists living and working in New Zealand today. Over the past 20 years Leleisi’uao’s style has morphed from highly volatile, expressive paintings and sculpture into sophisticated stories reflecting the artist’s inner space. Through his more recent work, Andy has created alternative universes, emergent societies populated by strange creatures that are free of traditional human prejudice. It is a genesis point, a veritable human reset button. His influence range is enormous, he draws from ancient & modern history, literary history, art history, pop culture history, world headlines, personal experiences, he rarely leaves a stone unturned. He tells the story of what we can be as a species, regardless of our cultural stature, religious convictions, skin colour or sexual orientation.

A full time artist since 1996, Andy’s CV is accomplished in exhibitions, awards, and residencies.  His work is included in the permanent collections of Pataka Museum and Art Gallery, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Auckland Art Gallery, the Chartwell Collection, MFAT and the James Wallace Arts Trust collection Most recently, Andy is the recipient of the 2017 Wallace Arts Trust Paramount Award and completed a 5 month residency at the International Studio & Curitorial Program (ISCP) in New York City in 2018.