Cardiff Met student who battled years of addiction named as breakthrough artist

A Cardiff Metropolitan University student who battled years of addiction has been named as a breakthrough artist.

Mia Roberts, 30, a Master’s of fine art graduate from Holyhead, North Wales, has been honoured as a Breakthrough Artist Fellow by the Artists Futures Fund for 2024, after years of personal struggle.

The Artist Futures Fund, formerly known as the Artists Benevolent Fund, aims to support emerging contemporary artists who are facing economic, social, cultural or health barriers by providing them with financial and professional resources, enabling them to advance their careers and thrive in their creative fields.

Mia has been very open when talking about her battles with alcohol and drug addiction, while also facing struggles related to her identity and sexuality.

Mia said: “For years, my drinking and drug taking affected my studies, it meant I had to move university while doing my undergraduate degree.

“I was on a downward spiral and caused my family a lot of worry but after making the decision to turn my life around, I now use my personal experiences to help inspire my art projects.”

Master’s student Mia Roberts has been announced as an Artists Futures Fund Breakthrough Artists Fellow for 2024. The Fund supports artists to overcome barriers and flourish creatively and professionally.

Read more about what the Fellowship means to Mia: https://t.co/TBbDIzTFO4 pic.twitter.com/UQdZ9w2rxg

— Cardiff Metropolitan University (@cardiffmet) October 30, 2024

She added: “It’s very tough to deal with things on your own. I know without a support network around me of people willing to help me, I may not have been able to push through difficulties I’ve had.

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“We need to be more caring and communicative to each other and focus on creating an environment that functions socially and promotes inclusion of everyone. Sometimes checking if people need help or are okay or investing time in a conversation can go a long way.”

While studying at Cardiff Met, Mia became aware of the fellowship, which supports emerging artists, and provides them with a £10,000 grant to support their living costs and materials, along with full-time studio space.

“To be announced as a fellow was a massive shock. I was in a state of disbelief when informed, and still feel like it’s not real to be honest!” said Mia.

“Being able to get back in the studio and continue making without so much external stress is something I’m incredibly grateful for. Without this, I most likely would have been unable to really immerse myself and continue making. I’ve already been planning projects for the year and am excited to get to work.”

Her artwork, often inspired by her own experiences, explores themes of resilience and personal growth. She hopes to eventually become an art teacher or print technician, drawing from her journey to encourage others.

Mia explained: “I like to help people and have had such a great experience with my tutors, they have been incredibly helpful and inspired me, so I would love to give someone else that confidence. If I could do that while still making my own artwork, it would be great.”

Her mentor and programme director of fine art and photography at the Cardiff School of Art and Design, Sean Edwards, said: “Mia proved to be an exceptional student during her studies with us, fully engaged with her practice and consistently pushing and developing techniques in sculpture, printmaking and bookmaking.

“There is an honesty to Mia and her practice that is rare and cuts through to the core of what a practice can be for someone questioning their place and role in the world, and in turn asking us to consider ours.”

Adding: “Mia’s generosity in the studio, through open collaboration and discussions helped her to really expand and develop over her masters study with us, and this fellowship will allow her the opportunity and security to continue building on that, to continue to take risks and help to her establish a practice, that I have no doubt, will only go from strength to strength in the coming years.”

Feature image credit: YouTube/X