Andy Leleisi'uao: Unbeautiful Evening

Omnipresent and connective, water plays an essential role in humanity’s survival. Yet, just as water enables life, its waves may become vicious.

In late January this year, Tāmaki Makaurau saw enough rain for two months in one night. Many people were affected, including artist Andy Leleisi’uao, whose South Auckland home and studio were devastated by the murky waters of the subsequent flooding. But in these times of despair, Leleisi’uao remained resilient, reflecting one last time on the livelihood of his flood-damaged works. The floods acted as a mirror to the past, and a gateway for conversations with Leleisi’uao’s family and friends, who aided the artist during this time.

Although this presentation may be the final resting place for these works, it is not the end. Instead, just as water cycles through its various properties, when its swells settle and throats are quenched, a new process in life begins.