04/01/2026
Featured Artist:
Brent Paguibitan is a second year Visual Studies student at the University of Calgary. Working primarily in oil paint, he is a contemporary figurative artist whose practice centers on the human presence and emotional connection. He has recently begun learning classic barque techniques to incorporate into his work, exploring dramatic lighting and realism within a contemporary context. His work as been exhibited in Art and Martinis (February 2026) and Paper on Paper (October 2025).
Brent is inspired by the search of genuine human connection. After struggling to understand his own sense of disconnection, he realised that meaningful relationships are what makes him feel most alive. His work focuses on a human figure as a way to reconnect with that feeling, both for himself and others. In an increasingly digital world, he uses his work to ground himself in something real and immediate. Being surrounded by artists has opened a new creative world for him, especially coming from a STEM focused background, where this path feels both unfamiliar and deeply necessary.
