Mia Melanie Saar ^{Emerging artist}

Artist is based in: Estonia

Mia Melanie Saar (b. 2000) is a visual artist from Estonia who began her creative journey in 2018. She holds a BA in Fine Arts from Pallas University of Applied Sciences and pursued an MA in Visual Arts and Curatorial Studies at NABA in Rome. During her studies, she completed exchange semesters in Tbilisi and Porto, and in 2025, she participated in the R.A.R.O. residency program in Barcelona. Her work has been showcased in solo exhibitions across Estonia, including the Tartu Art House and the Design and Architecture Gallery in Tallinn, as well as in group exhibitions in London, Porto, Helsinki, and various Estonian cities.

Alongside her painting practice, she has created illustrations for wine and beer labels, magazines, and public institutions. Her medium of choice is oil paint, which allows her to build up artworks in layers and keep multiple paintings in rotation simultaneously. Beyond the canvas, gathering inspiration from mundane moments and sketching are vital components of her creative process. Saar’s work is characterized by strong emotions and bold colors, touching upon both surrealism and naïve art. While she now feels comfortable in her personal style, she prefers to leave its definitive naming to time. Saar is the co-founder and curator of Lauda Gallery near Otepää, an independent space dedicated to promoting Estonian art.