Anna Leyland is a contemporary New Zealand artist (full-time since 2012). She has successfully exhibited in over 30 exhibitions since 2001. After being an oil portrait Artist for 15 years, 2012 saw a complete change in style. Influenced by her Graphic Design background, utilising pattern making and symbolism her works invoke conversations relating to the celebration of diversity and multiculturalism within Aotearoa – a hallmark of New Zealand’s social ethos.
This new body of work has now become her unique, distinctive style and has seen many corporate companies commission her work in the last 5 years. These commissions include works for the International Company Nespresso, Auckland City Council, Orcon and Mr Vintage. In the last 2 years, Anna has also completed commissions for The Haier Big Hoot NZ to fundraise for The Child Cancer Foundation and the prestigious International Hotel Sofitel Queenstown, where she adorned their grand piano as a feature artwork for their foyer. Subsequently her piano featured in Air New Zealand’s Kia Ora magazine.
In February 2016, Anna was invited to exhibit in Melbourne to participate in the famous ‘White Night’. Subsequently her show was listed as one of the top '5' shows to see on the night.
Since 2017, Anna has held 3 exhibitions; Perception a solo show at Allpress Studio, Auckland August 2017, Formation, a solo show at Allpress Studio, Auckland November 2018 and Woven Intent, an exhibition showcasing work by three contemporary New Zealand Women Artists, Ora Gallery Wellington, July 2019.
Articles and Interviews about her work have featured in the New Zealand Herald’s 'VIVA', Paperboy Magazine, Remix, Denizen, Idealog and Habitat by Resene.
Anna’s work features in many galleries throughout New Zealand and in private collections all across the world. She has a strong national following and is presently working towards moving her work further Internationally. Most recently, two of Anna’s paintings have been selected for a New Zealand Contemporary Art Exhibition that will feature in ‘Art Beijing 2020’.
"My works are a reflection of my perception of life. I choose to see the beauty in everything around me; specifically the beautiful mix of cultures we have in Aotearoa. This is what I incorporate into all of my works, utilising pattern and symbolism. These are directly influenced by the multicultural heritage of my son and I; Fijian, Wallisian, Futunaan, Scottish, Hungarian, English and Kiwi. I have taken personal symbols and patterns from these different cultures and developed into my own, which then tell my story. My works are culturally diverse and inherently attract a diverse audience..."
www.annaleyland.co.nz
www.facebook.com/annaleylandartist
instagram: annaleylandartist
GALLERIES IN NEW ZEALAND:
FLAGSTAFF GALLERY
30 Victoria Rd / Devonport, Auckland / 09-445 1142
www.flagstaff.nz
BLACK DOOR GALLERY
251 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland / 09-368 4554
www.blackdoorgallery.co.nz
ENDEMIC WORLD
62 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland / 09-378 9823
www.endemicworld.com
MOKO ARTSPACE
24 Pye Place, Hot Water Beach / Whitianga, Coromandel / 07-866 3367
www.moko.co.nz
SOUL GALLERY
300 Barton St / Hamilton / 07-834 2120
www.soulgallery.co.nz
INSPIRIT GALLERY
Pencarrow Rd / Tamahere / 07-856 3170
www.inspiritgallery.co.nz
KURA GALLERY
47a Heuheu St / Taupo / 07-377 4068
www.kura.co.nz
ORA DESIGN GALLERY
23 Allen St / Te Aro, Wellington / 04-384 4157
www.oragallery.co.nz
EXHIBITIONS:
Sep 7 - 15th 2019 'Contemporary New Zealand Art Exhibition', International Arts Centre, Chengdu, China
Jun 20 - Jul 28 2019 'WOVEN INTENT' 3 Contemporary NZ Women Artists, Ora Gallery, Te Aro Wellington
Nov 2018 'FORMATION' Solo Show at Allpress Studio, Auckland NZ
Oct 2018 Auckland Grammar Art in Homes Tour, Parnell, Auckland NZ
Sept 2018 MAGS Fine Art Show, Auckland NZ
Oct 2017 ‘SENTIENT’ Pop-up Solo Show for Auckland Art Week, Ponsonby Central, Auckland NZ
Aug 2017 'PERCEPTION'/ Solo Show at Allpress Studio, Auckland NZ
Dec 2016-Jan 2017 Waiheke Community Gallery, Auckland NZ
Sept 2016 Vauxhall Exhibition of Fine Arts, Devonport, Auckland NZ
July 2016 MAGS Fine Art Show, Auckland NZ
Feb-March 2016 ‘WOVEN BONES’ Solo Show at Chin Chin,
White Night, Melbourne, Australia
Nov 2015 Orakei Art Exhibition, Auckland NZ
Aug 2015 MAGS Fine Art Show, Auckland NZ
Nov 2014 Kings College NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Sept 2014 Auckland Grammar NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Aug 2014 NZ Fashion Week Art Exhibition Viaduct, Auckland NZ
June 2014 Vauxhall School NZ Art Show Devonport, Auckland NZ
Dec 2013-Jan 2014 Waiheke Summer Exhibition Waiheke Gallery, Auckland NZ
Sept 2013 NZ Fashion Week Art Exhibition , Auckland NZ
Nov 2009 Kings College NZ , Auckland NZ
Sept 2009 Auckland Grammar NZ , Auckland NZ
Nov 2008 Kings College NZ ART , Auckland NZ
Sept 2008 NZ Fashion Week Art Exhibition Viaduct, Auckland NZ
Sept 2008 Auckland Grammar NZ ART , Auckland NZ
Jan 2008 Cross Currents Sylvia Marsters, Daniella Hulme, Anna Leyland, Renee Boyd Matakana Gallery, Matakana NZ
Nov 2007 Kings College NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Sept 2007 Auckland Grammar NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
June 2007 Vauxhall School NZ Art Show Devonport, Auckland NZ
Jan 2007 Cross Currents Sylvia Marsters, Daniella Hulme, Anna Leyland, Renee Boyd Matakana Gallery, Matakana NZ
Nov 2006 Kings College NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Aug 2006 Auckland Grammar NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Nov 2005 Kings College NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Aug 2005 Auckland Grammar NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Aug 2005 Illicit Group Art Show Cross St Orphanage, K’Rd, Auckland NZ
Feb 2005 Adam NZ Portraiture Competition/Exhibition, Wellington NZ
Nov 2004 Kings College NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
Aug 2004 Auckland Grammar NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
April 2004 Illicit Group Show Alleluya, K’Rd, Auckland NZ
Aug 2003 Auckland Grammar NZ ART Show, Auckland NZ
March 2003 Illicit Group Show Alleluya, K’Rd, Auckland NZ
Sept 2002 Solo Show Foxie Style, Dominion Road, Auckland NZ
Dec 2001 Illicit Group Show Alleluya, K’Rd, Auckland NZ
Sept 2001 Rise & Shine Group Show, Ponsonby, Auckland NZ