Saturday 8 June
1 - 2pm
The Gallery
Artist - Alison Leauanae
Photo by Raymond Sagapolutele
Join us for tea or coffee and meet artist Alison Leauanae as she leads you through her exhibition Saili – Seek. Alison will talk about the motif and visual language used to create the intricate handstitched patterns within her work, that are inspired by connections to the past and influenced by her diverse cultural heritage.
Artists Biography
Alison Leauanae is a Tamaki Makaurau-born and raised self-taught artist, currently residing in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara. Following a professional career in organisational development Leauanae has returned to her early creative passions. Her contemporary stitched works on paper are inspired by connections to the past that inform the present and consider a hopeful future, using motif and a visual language influenced by her diverse cultural heritage (NZ Pakeha (Scottish, English), Samoan (Magiagi, Saleaula, Lano, Samata)). Leauanae was awarded the Upstairs Gallery Emerging Artist Award in 2022, was a finalist in the Changing Thread: Contemporary NZ Textile Fibre Art Awards in 2022 and 2023, and has exhibited throughout the motu in various group exhibitions. Saili – Seek is her debut solo show.
Saili - Seek
24 May - 21 June
‘Saili’ – seek – explores the journey of navigating one’s path in seemingly uncertain times. Leauanae’s contemporary stitched works on paper are inspired by connections to the past, that propel us forward into a hopeful future, using motif and a visual language informed by her diverse cultural heritage.
