About
AGATE RUBENE STUDIO - Suite 3 Level 2 58 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
Oh hello!
I am Agate Rubene, artist and illustrator behind Restless & Infectious.
Originally from Latvia, I am currently living and working in Auckland, New Zealand.
With a background in fashion I first started with exploration of fashion illustration which has had a huge influence on my style. My work focuses on people and their actions capturing emotions and drawing life’s pleasures with a light-hearted nature.
I use bright colour palettes, fluid shapes and vibrant characters to create alternative realities. My artworks are inspired by daily personal experiences, mood and aesthetic of pop culture. Fields I work in include illustration, branding and apparel design.
My story
It was 2020. I was stuck in lockdown, staring at my iPad, endlessly sketching as a way to keep myself from sinking into the stress of it all. My contract work had ended, there were no jobs, and my residency visa was in limbo. I felt like my future was completely out of my hands.
All I wanted was some kind of certainty. Some kind of creative outlet that wasn’t just survival mode. I wanted to build something that was mine—to create work that felt meaningful, that connected with people, and that gave me the freedom to shape my own future.
The world… saw a skilled graphic designer with years of experience, but what they didn’t see was the struggle behind the scenes. Finding a job as a creative wasn’t easy—especially as someone from abroad navigating visa uncertainties and an industry where connections seemed to matter more than talent.
But inside I felt lost. I had spent years working in design, in fashion, in creative industries, but now, I was starting from scratch. The fear of failure, of rejection, of not knowing where to begin, was overwhelming. Then it happened… I decided to stop waiting. I ordered a couple of canvases online (as soon as Level 3 allowed it), picked up my paintbrush, and started creating. Not just for myself, but with the belief that someone, somewhere, might connect with what I was creating.
And then… I realised that no one was going to invite me in—I had to make my own way. So I sent that first email to a gallery. I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it anyway. And that one step turned into another, and then another.
So I kept going. I reached out to more galleries. I put my work out there, even when it felt uncomfortable. I kept painting, kept experimenting, kept pushing myself to create work that felt true to me. Eventually, I secured my first gallery representation, followed by an invitation to Art in the Park at Eden Park—my first time exhibiting to such a big audience.
It was hard. There were moments of doubt, moments where I questioned if I was good enough, if my work had a place in New Zealand—where it felt so different from anything else out there. But I kept showing up. I kept creating. I kept sharing my work, even when it felt like no one was watching.
I got to see my work on walls, in homes, in galleries. I built a creative career on my own terms, creating bold, feminine, expressive pieces that resonate with people. My work now lives in homes across New Zealand and around the world, and I’ve expanded into workshops, collaborations, and illustration projects.
Now I’m a full-time creative, living in Auckland, making art that celebrates strength, individuality, and the beauty of self-expression. I’m not just painting—I’m building a business, a brand, and a community around art that brings joy and connection. I know that I’m here to inspire other people to back themselves. To show that you don’t need industry connections, a ‘perfect’ plan, or permission to start. If you have something to say, something to create, you just have to begin.
If you want to bring bold, expressive, original art into your life—or if you’re a brand looking for unique creative collaborations—let’s make something amazing together. Get in touch, and let’s create something unforgettable.
INSTAGRAM: @restless_infectious
FACEBOOK: Agate Rubene - Artist
AGATE RUBENE STUDIO - Suite 3 Level 2 58 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
Education
2011 - Fashion Design Graduate, Riga School of Art and Design. Riga, Latvia.
2013 - Academy Profession Degree in International Design + Business. TEKO, Herning, Denmark.
2014 - BA International Fashion Design. Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Exhibitions
January 2025 - Aspiring Award Art Prize. Holy Family School in Wānaka, New Zealand
November 2024 - Centrality Group Exhibition. LookNZ Pop up Gallery in Architecture + Design Library in Wānaka, New Zealand
September 2024 - Petals & Portraits. Solo exhibition at Cardrona Distillery in Wanaka, New Zealand
August 2024 - Contemporary Creations of Colour. Joint show with Sam Leitch and Frankie Meaden at Turua Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
June 2024 - NZ Art Show. Wellington, New Zealand
May 2024 - RSM Law Plunket Art Show. Timaru, New Zealand
December 2023 - Turua Tiny Show Group exhibition. Turua Gallery, St Heliers, Auckland, New Zealand
November 2023 - 30x30 Group Exhibition Flagstaff Gallery. Auckland, New Zealand
October 2023 - Working artist at Wānaka Labour Weekend Exhibition. Wānaka, New Zealand
September 2023 - Art in the Park. Auckland, New Zealand
May 2023 - The Other Art Fair. Sydney, Australia
October 2022 - The Happiness Project. Turua Gallery Group Exhibition. Auckland, New Zealand
September 2022 - Art In The Park. Auckland, New Zealand
September 2022 - Turua Tiny Show. Group exhibition. Auckland, New Zealand
June 2022 - NZ Art Show. Wellington, New Zealand
May 2022 - Auckland Art Show. Auckland, New Zealand
November 2021 - Celebration Group Exhibition, Flagstaff Gallery. Auckland, New Zealand
October 2021 - All The Feels Solo Exhibition, The Art Lounge. Tauranga, New Zealand
September 2021 - Kink Erotica Group Exhibition. Wellington, New Zealand
July 2021 - Art In The Park art show. Auckland, New Zealand
February 2021 - Group show - Gonzo Erotica Exhibition. Auckland, New Zealand
Awards
Best In Colour Award - Art in The Park 2023. Auckland, New Zealand