Mahlia Amatina
Award-Winning Conceptual Artist
Mahlia Amatina
Award-Winning Conceptual Artist
Being Neurodivergent has meant that I needed to create a brand-new way of being and working that fits around me. I’ve found being self-employed much better than working 9-5 which gave me little time for anything else – all in an environment that simply didn’t work for me. I’m now an artist, creativity has always been a real passion of mine. Now, I use my strengths and learn at a phenomenal rate, every day.
I had no prior education or learning into how to become a self-employed artist, I’ve had to figured this out from scratch, with great success. In less than four years, I have accomplished a significant amount including having solo shows, winning an award for my autism-friendly ‘Around the World in 80 Washing Lines’ exhibition, selling my work and securing highly competitive Arts Council funding – twice!
As someone who works largely by themselves, having a mentor has been important. Having a sounding board from someone who has ‘been there, done that’ has not only been crucial but it has made the whole journey more fun!
