Telly Tuita's work has been recognised for the way it brings together Pacific heritage, personal narrative, and bold visual language. Through his vision, Telly has coined the term Tongpop, which is used to celebrate the artist's rich relationship with his ancestral home of Tonga, as well as his lived experiences in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Within his practice of video, photography, painting, sculpture and installation, Telly navigates ideas of home and belonging, identity and self-worth. His work encapsulates an experience lived between two realities.
Telly has exhibited widely across Australia, New Zealand and internationally. He exhibited his first major solo show 'Tongpop’s Great Expectations' at Campbelltown Arts Centre, NSW in 2024. He has showcased at the Tauranga Art Gallery, 2021 and the Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, 2022. Telly was selected as Sydney Festival's Visual Artist in Residence in 2025 where the artist transformed the iconic Thirsty Mile precinct with the work 'Tā and Vā of Tongpop', highlighting his vibrant Tongpop designs.
He has also shown at key international events including the Aotearoa Art Fair and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale for the Australian Premiere in 2022.
