I heard from another artist who visited the exhibition that while the works on view were fantastic, the show blended too many themes into one. I would partly agree, but I also think when someone has so much creativity inside them, with so many messages to spread, there is no way to stop it from coming out. Contrary to his previous shows, he did not necessarily focus on one series or one concept: PARADISE 4EVER is a compilation of two or three exhibitions in one. You can feel that the artist has a lot to express, likes to experiment with different techniques, and would not like to be confined in one box.

While this exhibition functions as an experimental retrospective, I think Augustine’s next show will solidify his practice with another focused series of works. Every artist goes through a journey of exploration and self-discovery. Every artist also has a signature series, or technique, that they become known for – a recognizable type of work that strikes a chord between medium and message, and fundamentally derives from the artist’s personal life story, surrounding, community, and message to the world. Art comes from clear, succinct, and well-crafted distillation of a chaotic, enriching, lived experience. Augustine’s cup is full and he has all the materials he needs to now digest and distill.