Bahati Simoens

Bahati Simoens (b. 1992) is a Belgian-Congolese visual artist based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Bahati embarked on her journey as an artist in 2021, crafting a unique style deeply embedded in her cultural heritage and personal narrative. She describes her work as a "love letter to the Black body," encapsulating the beauty and strength of Black identities through vibrant figurative paintings that evoke warmth, softness, and a serene yet assertive presence.

Bahati's artistry stems from a deeply personal place—her practice began as a form of self-therapy, a journey to find a sense of belong and home. This introspective beginning has since expanded into a reflective exploration of the Black experience, using art as a medium to inspire viewers to see themselves through a lens of compassion and strength. Her work is suffused with memories and elements of everyday life, articulated through dynamic compositions and a palette that harmonizes brightness and shadow, embodying a "daydream under the midday sun."

Her career took off with her participation in a group exhibition at Botho Project Space in Johannesburg, soon followed by a solo exhibition at Medium Tings in New York. Since then, she has exhibited internationally at notable venues, including La Causa Galeria in Madrid, and participated in events such as the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and collaborations with Selfridges & Co and Nataal Media. Her pieces have been featured in group exhibitions across Berlin, Los Angeles, and Johannesburg, marking her presence on the global art scene.

Through her practice, Bahati aims to affirm and celebrate Black identities, offering viewers a mirror through which they might recognize a sense of self and presence they hadn't known they were missing.