Sione Faletau

Sione Faletau

Dr. Sione Faletau (b. 1991) is an Aotearoa-born Tongan artist based in Ōtara, South Auckland. His multidisciplinary practice spans performance, sculpture, installation, and digital art.

He completed a BFA (Hons, First Class) in 2013, an MFA (Hons, First Class) in 2015, and a Doctor of Fine Arts in 2022 at Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland. His doctoral research examined Tongan masculinity from an Indigenous perspective, drawing on Talanoa conducted with more than 140 people across the Tongan islands of ‘Eua, Ha‘apai, Niuatoputapu, Tongatapu, and Vava‘u.

Grounded in Moana knowledge systems—particularly ongo (sound, feeling, presence) and kupesi (patterns)—Faletau’s recent work explores sonic mark-making and projection mapping to create immersive spatial environments.

He was part of the inaugural Creative Australia & Creative New Zealand Digital Fellowship (2022) and has undertaken residencies with Te Pūnaha Matatini and Tautai. His work has been presented in major exhibitions including the Hawai‘i Triennial, Bundanon Art Museum, and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.