Biography
Beatriz Simas, b. 2003, is an artist and student based in Toronto, Canada. Simas is currently a graduate student in the Master of Art History program the University of Toronto. Simas has also received her Honours Bachelor of Art in Art History with High Distinction from the University of Toronto, and an Advanced Diploma in Art and Art History from Sheridan College, in 2025.
Academically, Simas is a scholar whose research focuses on the visuality of the nineteenth century, through the medium of photography. Interested in illuminating the ways in which the newly nascent medium would be coupled with other, simultaneously developing fields, such as anthropology, Simas investigates the ways in which nineteenth century photography would fundamentally change the visuality what is considered to be imperial knowledge.
Regarding artistic practice, Simas is an artist who through the medium of photography, as well as the contextualization of art history, explores notions of identity, cultural connections and belonging. Through the performance of self-portraiture, Simas explores notions of individuality and different personalities through the careful curation of clothing, wigs, makeup and props. By using herself as a living canvas, she embodies given characters – either larger than life architypes or, small, intimate and personal realities – in order to explore cultural contexts and dismantle traditional ways of viewing. A driving question in her practice is What does it mean to be a first generation Canadian with a strong cultural background, within a visual realm? Through a theatrical/character-based photographic practice, she thoroughly analyzes and create fully realized characters, undergoing a physical transformation, caught on camera.
Throughout her undergrad, Beatriz has been an exhibiting and published artist, having taken part in exhibitions at her schools, as well as being part of the BUFF publication. Outside of school, Beatriz has been showing at the Women’s Art Association of Canada, making part of the juried Middle Child show in 2024, as well as having her own solo show at the WAAC, entitled A Woman of Many Faces, in 2025. Beatriz also has an upcoming show at She Said Gallery. Regarding publications, Beatriz has been published in SuboArt Magazine – an international publication for emerging artists based in Portugal, as well as Trashcan Media Magazine, a publication based in Vancouver, for emerging artists. Beatriz has also been recognized for her excellence within the field of photography, having won several DVS Awards of Excellence in Photography.
UPCOMING
Entrelaçada, CONTACT Photography Festival, May 2026
Ourchive: Artist as Historian, Group Show, June 2026
Exhibitions
Talking Walls, Hart House, University of Toronto, 2025
WITHDRAWN, She Said Gallery, 2025
DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT Blackwood Gallery, University of Toronto Mississauga 2025
FACES, PLACES AND TRACES Northern Contemporary Gallery 2025
A WOMAN OF MANY FACES Women's Art Association of Canada 2025
TALKING WALLS Hart House, University of Toronto 2024
UTM FILM FEST University of Toronto Mississauga 2024
MIDDLE CHILD Women's Art Association of Canada 2024
PROJECT PROJECT Sheridan College, 2023
Awards
DVS Award for Excellence in Photo 4
Dr. Annie Smith Graduate Award
Adobe Max Creativity Award - Young Creator Photography
Commander Fraser McKee Award in History
UTPA Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Hart House Camera Club - W. J Blackhall Award for Best Altered Image
Jack Cooke Memorial Award
University of Toronto Film Fest
Naval Officers Association of Canada Scholarship
DVS Award for Excellence in Photo 3
Deans List, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25
DVS Award for Excellence in Sculpture 1
DVS Award for Excellence in Photo 1
Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Long Service Medal
Entrance Scholarship - University of Toronto Mississauga
Publications
Hart House Art History Journal, May 2025
BUFF Art and Art History, University of Toronto Mississauga / Sheridan College 2022-2025
SUBOART MAGAZINE 2025
EPIPHANY Trashcan Media Magazine 2025
PHOTO TROUVEE, 2025