Artist in focus: Augustina Droze

University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) PhD student and artist Augustina Droze has always had a passion for the arts.

Whether crafting something unique out of the simplest of things, creating work that intertwines with her soul, or reimagining perceptions of our developing world – creativity has always underpinned everything.

Like many artists, the road hasn’t always been smooth. Augustina’s career has taken many twists and turns, with new directions and inspirations realised as a result.

We recently caught up with her to talk about her creative journey so far. This one’s a must-read!

Tell us a bit about your study journey! Why did you decide to study at UniSQ?

I began my research journey in 2019 when I started the Doctor of Creative Arts at UniSQ. I initially planned to base my research on my experience as a public artist and study the impact of street art in the developing world. As we all know, the world changed substantially in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, so I was forced to reconsider my research trajectory. My scope as a public artist was no longer so public, instead my world became very insular with months of quarantine with my then 6-year-old son. We coped through it by making art together, and I saw changes in both of us that inspired me to study the phenomenon of parent/child art co-creation. As a result, my research study became “Fostering Child Art Agency and Collaboration in the Home Learning Environment”. I decided to study at UniSQ because of the Doctor of Creative Arts program and my ability to work with such amazing supervisors in the online program.

You live in Beijing! What brought you there and how do you find working and living there?

I am an American who moved to Beijing in 2015 with my husband and toddler. We were honestly looking to have a bit of an adventure and see the world. I got a great job at Tsinghua International School and what we expected to last two years has turned into 10 so far. I love living in China, I am always learning new things about the culture, language, and food. I find that living in an environment so different from the one I grew up in has kept me feeling young, vibrant, and alive, as I never know what to expect.

Your work is currently being exhibited in the Waldorf Astoria. How did this come about? How has the work been presented, and how the hotel has supported your work?

I was invited to exhibit at the Waldorf Astoria in Beijing due to my work as Distinguished Art Envoy with the United States American Center at the United States Embassy in China. The work is presented in the new gallery next to the lobby as hotel visitors enter. The exhibition includes nine paintings and a kinetic floral/feather installation with taxidermy elements. This piece is designed to be a living representation of my artwork, which includes many brightly coloured flowers and animals. The desserts are a fun way to show a connection between my artwork and the hotel. The pastry chef looked at my artwork and made desserts that were influenced by the colour and imagery. They will be served at the hotel for the duration of my three-month exhibition.

While the work is not directly part of your doctoral thesis, we understand there is a transference of ideas between all your work. Can you talk us through your doctoral thesis and the contrasts/similarities to this work?

My doctoral thesis involved working alongside and with my son on a series of art projects. Prior to this experience, my artwork was rather stiff and did not reflect narratives from my life or history. I felt disconnected from my art, and though I have always loved the act of painting, I never felt that my artwork truly expressed my inner self. Working with my son on this research project led me to tap into my child within, take risks and explore ideas that I had been afraid to expose in the past. Now, my work has a vitality that did not exist before. I explore my experience as a foreigner in my artwork, include my children as characters, reflect on iconography from my childhood, and create my own modern mythology.

What are your aspirations for the future and where can we find out more about your work?

I hope to continue painting and growing as an artist. I want to be fearless in my expression and continue to explore new ideas with a childlike sense of wonder. Interested people can find my work at www.augustinadroze.com and on Instagram at @augustinadroze.

Find more about Creative Arts at UniSQ.