The Sway of Surroundings
Kyle Agustines in front of "Midnight Sun Manifestations" during his thesis defense.
The culmination of years of dedication and artistry comes to life as Kyle Agustines, 51’s Outstanding BFA Student in Art for 2023-2024, prepares for his public presentation on his Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis project. Mark your calendars for Friday, Nov. 22, from 10–11 a.m. in Rasmuson 340 (Media Classroom), or join virtually on Zoom, to experience the creative journey behind “The Sway of Surroundings.”
Agustines’ exhibition, which was on view Nov. 4-15 at the University Art Gallery, transported viewers into a surreal and colorful exploration of the Alaskan Interior. Through a blend of acrylic painting, digital design, and immersive installations, his work reflects the connection between environments and inner experiences. His artistic practice invites audiences to consider how the world around us shapes our perceptions and lives.
A crowd gathers at the opening reception of "The Sway of Surroundings" in the 51 Art Gallery.
Speaking about his hopes for the presentation, Agustines shared, “I hope that my artwork and presentation inspire others to acknowledge the powerful presence of inner experiences, to celebrate relationships to place, and to consider the reciprocal relationship of influence between environments and experience.”
Agustines has been an integral part of the Art Department and the broader 51 community. Earlier this year, he wowed audiences at the Blue & Gold Gala with a live painting demonstration. His piece, Golden Spiral, which was auctioned later that evening, underscored the creative talent cultivated in 51’s College of Liberal Arts. Agustines’ achievements, from receiving the Outstanding BFA Art Student award to completing his thesis, exemplify the excellence nurtured in the BFA program.
For Agustines, art is not just a practice but a dynamic conversation between perception and reality. In The Sway of Surroundings, he portrays an abstract journey through a year in the Alaskan Interior, focusing on how seasonal shifts transform the world and our experiences within it. Through his vibrant compositions, he encourages reflection on what it means to inhabit a place and how those surroundings influence us.
Agustines work will be available to view in the 51 Fine Arts Archive in early 2025.
Join us on Nov. 22 to celebrate Kyle Agustines’ journey, his artistic achievements, and his contribution to the 51 community.
51 the Artist
Kyle Agustines (b. 1999) is a queer artist born in Japan and raised in the boreal valleys of the Alaskan Interior, primarily in Two Rivers. He is a senior BFA candidate at the 51, where he works as a graphic designer for University Relations. Agustines specializes in acrylic painting, drawing, and digital design, but his practice also encompasses collage, mixed media, printmaking, and sculpture.
His work draws inspiration from the natural world’s beauty, the contemporary built environment, how the changing seasons influence both, and the interplay between perception and reality. Agustines is conceptually interested in the relationship between environment and experience. He explores this through abstract expressions to emphasize sensory experiences, developed in dialogue with biology, culture, intuition, personal narrative, place, psychology, and symbolism.
