Mia Kustova

Artist, writer-director

Visual artist and filmmaker working with oil painting, digital art, and film. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, she lives and works in Montreal.

Her work focuses on identity, childhood trauma, the “skeletons in the closet,” and the choice each person faces: to break the cycle, or to become part of it. In her work, the artist often constructs situations in which a person limits themselves, and their inner state becomes visible through the body, styling, and colour, inviting the viewer to recognize their own hidden selves in her characters.

Mia’s practice lies at the intersection of cinema and visual art. She combines elements of symbolism, semi-realism, neo-noir, and post-superflat. She works on both standalone pieces and series.

Her visual language is built on contrast. Most of her works use a cool, desaturated palette with neon accents. She draws inspiration from themes of alienation, vulnerability, and self-rejection.

Mia Kustova’s works are held in private collections in Ukraine, Canada, and across Europe.