BAHATI SIMOENS

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CONTACT/INQUIRIES/COMMISSIONS

bahatisimoens@gmail.com

@bahati.simoens

Bahati Simoens is a Belgian-Congolese artist based intercontinental, between Ostend (Belgium) & Johannesburg (South Africa). Born in Munanira, Burundi, and raised on the Belgian coast, her early life was shaped by a lack of visible African influences. This absence sparked a deeply personal creative journey, and curiosity around the diaspora. What began as a form of self-therapy evolved into a powerful artistic practice rooted in representation, the sense of home and belonging.

“My work started as a form of self therapy, a way of creating a fantasy world, entirely filled by Black figures only.
Making things feel otherworldly, yet intimately familiar. I wanted Black people to feel seen. Which is why I consider my work to be a love letter to the Black body.”

Bahati’s striking figures, monumental in form with intentionally small, almost imperceptible heads, demand presence. Their exaggerated scale speaks to physical, emotional, and spiritual visibility, while Bahati’s tiny, undetectable heads are a reminder to not get lost in the ego of the mind but to use the mind as an intelligent and empowering tool.
A visual language where bright light and deep shadows coexist harmoniously, searching for a sense of home. Through a whimsical lens of her own sense of belonging Bahati’s aim is to create a mirror. Where some might mistake ‘the search of belonging’ as one trying to find their identity, Bahati leaves from knowing hers. A mirror for Black and brown people, and leave them with a feeling they didn’t know was missing.

Bahati has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions both nationally and internationally, as well as features on The New York Times, WePresent, ItsNiceThat, Metal Magazine and Inbtwn Magazine. As well as collaborations with INQUE magazine, The Atlantic, Selfridges, Nataal, Jacob Banks, Jack Davison/LooseJoints, Maison Chateau Rouge and Oxfam.

Solo Shows

2021

Charcoal Swans under the sun, Solo exhibition at La Causa Galeria (Madrid, Spain)

Go & Grow, Solo exhibition at Medium Tings (New York, United States)

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Presented by Botho Project Space (South Africa)

2022

Jasmine like Summer, Independent and entirely autonomous solo exhibition (Antwerp, Belgium)

2023

The Halfway line, Solo exhibition presented by Botho Project Space (Cape Town, SA)

Ulwandle, Solo exhibition at Jac Forbes (Malibu, United States)

2024

Sunset Market, Solo exhibition at BKhz (Johannesburg, SA)

2025

Furaha, my world has become richer ever since you’ve shown me yours at BODE Gallery (Berlin, Germany)

2026

Group Shows

2021

Ndoimadzi, - Bahati Simoens, Imraan Christian, Lulama Wolf, Zandile Tshabalala, Frans Thoka & Katlego Tlabela - at Botho Project Space (Johannesburg, South Africa)

2022

GANG GANG at Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Presented by Botho Project Space (Bahati Simoens, Cinthia Sifa Mulanga & Muofhe Manavhela)

Botho Art Collective, First Artist led art fair - Nelson Makamo, Trevor Stuurman, Bahati Simoens, Cristina Martinez, Brandon Deener, Maya Seas, Mbali Dhlamini, Corey Pemberton, Ambrose Murray & Lebohang Kganye (Los Angeles, United States)

R!SE, Group exhibition - Bahati Simoens, Virgil Abloh, Jean Michel Basquiat, Paa Joe, Edozie Anedu, Salassie & Mr. StarCity- at NBB Gallery (Berlin, Germany)

If not now, then when? Group exhibition at BKhz (Johannesburg, SA)

2023

INDEX 2023: An exhibition of independent artists at RMB Latitudes Art Fair - curated by Nkhensani Mkhari (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Intimate at 1-54 London, Presented by BKhz (Bahati Simoens, Talia Ramkilawan, Mercy, Mashudu Nevhutalu & Tatenda Chidora)

2024

CURA - circuito urbano de arte (art festival), mural invitation 417m2 building (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

2025

N Gallery Collection, Groupshow at N Gallery (Seongnam-si, South Korea)

Microcosmos, group exhibition at N Gallery (Seongnam-si, South Korea)

Journey Mercies, group exhibition at Ebony Curated (Cape Town, South Africa)

Online auction with Givergy, Art on a postcard (London, UK)

TOYOTA STELLENBOSCH WOORDFEES
BENEFIT ONLINE AUCTION, with RESERVOIR and Strauss&Co (Stellenbosch, SA)

The Holiday Art Collection (Art & vintage design furniture), with N Gallery & The Hyundai (Seongnam-si, South Korea)

2026

Claiming Spaces, Group exhibition at Gallery41 05/03/2026 - 04/04/2026 (Brussels, Belgium)

GIRLS 3000, with Girls Gallery at Everard Read Cape Town (South Africa)
07.05.2026 till 02.06.2026

Artist-in-residency

2023

Artist-in-residency at La Fourcette de Rōze (2023), per invitation by Rōze Traore one month residency in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)

2025

Artist Residency program at Lion Sands Game Reserve (2025), per invitation by Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Artists (“SAFFCA”) and MORE Family Collection (Pty) Ltd (“MORE Family Collection” or “MFC”)
one month residency at Kruger Park, South Africa.

2026

Mentorship for AirMax Residency (Nike) - two weeks print making focused residency, mentoring four artists, at Flood House (Johannesburg, SA). Showcased at RMB Latitudes Art Fair 2026.