Kiwi Samoan gets inaugural Taiwan arts residency

MEDIA RELEASE
 

2 February 2010

Kiwi Samoan gets inaugural Taiwan arts residency

Christchurch-based artist Andy Leleisi’uao is the first New Zealander to be selected for an inaugural arts residency opportunity in Taiwan.

The residency is offered to New Zealand artists by the Asia New Zealand Foundation (www.asianz.org.nz) in partnership with the Taipei Artist Village (www.artistvillage.org).

Andy Leleisi’uao is an accomplished and critically acclaimed artist whose work blends his Samoan legacy with his New Zealand born heritage. He grew up in Mangere and has been hailed as a social commentator on issues affecting South Auckland communities.

Mr Leleisi’uao began exhibiting in 1995 and after receiving a scholarship to attend AUT University, he graduated with an MA in Art and Design in 2002. He has exhibited throughout New Zealand and has been involved in solo and group exhibitions in Rarotonga, Australia, the United States, Germany and Taiwan.

He will take up the three month residency at the Taipei Artist Village in the Taiwan beginning later this month. In Taipei, he intends to embark on a new body of work entitled Cryptid Amologies.

The Taipei Artist Village residency programme exists to promote multinational and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Managed by the Taipei Culture Foundation, the programme continues to be a centre for creativity, reaching out to local residents as well as foreign artists through a variety of activities.

This annual opportunity for New Zealand artists is offered by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

For the residency, the Taipei Artist Village will provide Mr Leleisi’uao with the opportunity to learn about Taiwan, communicate with Taiwanese artists, and to establish networks with Taiwanese and international artists.

The visiting artist is required to hold an open studio and present the results of the residency at the end of the three months and to conduct a series of presentations or exhibition in New Zealand upon return.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation and Taipei Artist Village will provide:

return economy airfare between New Zealand and Taiwan
accommodation
a stipend of NZ$40 per day for up to 90 days
NZ$500 towards production costs
single entry 90 day tourist visa
NZ$300 towards travel insurance.
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