Victoria Busutill

Victoria Busuttil’s work revolves around mixed media collaging, often incorporating textiles, an art form she has been passionate about since childhood. Her creative process is one of deep reflection, favouring hand stitching to foster a meditative connection with her materials. “I’ve always used creativity as a means to connect and explore things for myself,” Victoria shares, describing how her pieces are a way for her to reflect on her experiences. Her work also delves into themes of nature, particularly the changing seasons, and expresses her journey with neurodivergence. She explains, "My work is predominantly a way of reflecting," highlighting how her art serves as a personal outlet for self-exploration and connection.

Artistic Background

Despite having no formal art training, Victoria’s passion for textiles and sewing began in her youth, initially practised as a hobby. Her academic background is rooted in psychology, a field that later intersected with her artistic expression. After struggling with mental health and discovering she was neurodivergent, Victoria found that art provided her with a powerful mode of self-expression. Her involvement with a community arts programme allowed her to explore a variety of mediums, but she was particularly drawn to collaging, which became a significant aspect of her artistic journey. Art became not just a practice, but a therapeutic tool to express her inner world.

Nature plays a vital role in Victoria’s work, with the shifting seasons providing an ongoing source of inspiration. Her creations are also deeply influenced by her experiences as a neurodivergent individual, a theme that is reflected in the way she approaches her art. By exploring her personal journey with neurodivergence through her work, she aims to bring awareness to the broader experience of neurodivergent people, using her art as a means to tell their stories. Yorkshire, her home, also inspires her, with its slower, more mindful pace of life compared to the south of England, where she briefly lived. Victoria feels that Yorkshire’s “sense of realness” complements her artistic process and suits her reflective approach to creativity.

In 2019, Victoria was a finalist in the very first Scott Creative Arts Foundation (SCAF) Emerging Artist Awards. Reflecting on this pivotal experience, she explains how it helped bolster her self-confidence and sense of belonging in the art world: “It was an opportunity and a challenge that I needed. It increased my self-belief if nothing else.” Before participating in the awards, Victoria had felt somewhat disconnected from the broader artistic community. The recognition and platform provided by the Emerging Artist Awards gave her a renewed sense of validation, pushing her to take her work more seriously. The awards helped her challenge her perceptions of what it means to be an artist and provided her with the confidence to continue pursuing her creative path.

Since participating in the SCAF Emerging Artist Awards, Victoria has continued to develop her work, applying for various open calls and moving away from her previous involvement in community arts. One of her significant post-award projects involved working on a suicide prevention programme in Durham, which she describes as a positive and deeply rewarding experience that reconnected her with fellow artists. Currently, she is working on pieces for ‘Outside In,’ a charity that supports disabled artists. This project aligns closely with her artistic values and personal experiences, allowing her to continue using art as a tool for advocacy and awareness, particularly for underrepresented groups.

Future Aspirations and Emerging Ambitions

Looking ahead, Victoria is keen to further her studies and continue exploring the intersection of art and neurodivergence. She hopes to delve deeper into how the arts can help neurodivergent individuals express their experiences and give voice to their stories. Additionally, Victoria aims to secure arts funding to support these ambitions, expanding her work to make a broader impact. “I want my work to continue to reflect the stories of neurodivergent people and how the arts can help them,” she shares, expressing a desire for her art to be both personal and communal, fostering understanding and connection through creativity.

"[The Emerging Artist Awards] increased my self belief if nothing else."