Andy Leleisi'uao I have known Andy for some time now and his work just keeps getting better and better. I caught up with him after a game of 'phone-tag', and finally caught him where he currently resides in Aukilani with his family.
I asked him about his background:
"My background is shaped from family and social experience. During college I applied to Carrington (Unitech), Auckland Technical Institute (AUT) and Elam School of Fine Arts and wasn't accepted to any, while my friends were. I ended up working in factories around East Tamaki and Otara.Our family situation wasn't too good at the time and I remember I wasn't earning much, but most of my pay went to pay our mortgage. This was my way of saying thank you to my parents. It took over 5 years before I had my first exhibition and this was at the Massey Homestead in 1995."
What/where is the "dead mango studio"?
"The 'dead mango studio' is a garage in Mangere. It is the home of my imagination."
On asking Andy about his 'colourful' personal life
"I think this is irrelevant to this interview!"
Andy's latest exhibition is at the 'Whitespace' Gallery in Newmarket, and is titled 'The Umu Collection of Titles'.
Where did you get the name of the show?
"The "Umu collection", based on the Ufological Island of Samoa, are a series of works which are based on a mythological island in which a group of Samoans stumbled upon, only to discover it was inhabited by aliens who have moved on, leaving behind their technology. The Samoans then use this technology to roam the world copying or taking natural and man-made objects to decorate their new found island"
Lastly, what is your 'take' on art?
"Art is a creature which offers enjoyment, expression and understanding. No-one can take it away from you, and it is a lifetime vocation, only you can control this beautiful creature."
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