We were lucky to catch up with Agustina Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Agustina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I’ve taken is allowing myself to pursue public art full-time. I studied studio art as an undergrad and worked in mixed media. In my early 20’s I got into glass-blowing, leading me to 3 years living in Italy. During that time I became interested in better understanding the built environment and looked for ways to blend my visual art skills with site specific installations. In Italy I had the opportunity to participate in my first group art exhibition with a large-scale installation – I was hooked, later realizing that the pull was in creative placemaking. This new found interest led me to a 4 year Master of Architecture where I peripherally maintained my interest in installation art, often attempting to merge the disciplines of site specific art and architecture. After over a decade as an architectural designer, I became very focused on becoming a capital-A architect. During that time I was awarded a temporary installation followed by my first permanent public art commissions. It was only after having my now 5 year old daughter during the pandemic that I began to circle back to my original passion for public and civic art. As many people did, I allowed myself to pivot into pursuing more public art opportunities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an Austin-based designer whose work explores connections between people and places through architecture and visual art. As a public artist, I work with municipalities, communities, art consultants, and developers to tell their unique story through the medium of site-specific art. Community outreach and site research is a big part of what I do as it provides the building blocks from which I begin each project. Signature themes in my work include clarity of form, using color as cultural code, and interactive play, such as moire effects, in an attempt to capture the power of transformation. I use time-honored materials such as stone and precious metals as a way to juxtapose the rapid turnover of our material world with the discovery of deep time.

I also serve as a Lecturer at The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, teaching Interior Design. I am the cofounder of the non-profit NOMA of Central Texas Chapter (National Organization of Minority Architects) and currently serve on the Board of Directors for Big Medium, a leading central Texas arts non-profit.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Only two weeks ago, I was finally able to complete the last exam necessary to become a licensed architect. I have been working towards this goal for over 10 years and wanted to quit many times. Having my license doesn’t necessarily change anything for me in my immediate work, but it was something that I needed to accomplish in order to fully embrace my focus on public art. I also consider it a political statement of sorts as Latina architects are underrepresented by a large margin.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is adding value to the communities I serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://agimiagi.com
• Instagram: @agimiagi

Image Credits

Chase Daniel
Lin Kinsey
Gus Bernal