Beatriz Simas

Beatriz Simas

First Name: 
Beatriz
Last Name: 
Simas
Title: 
MA Student (she/her)
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 from the University of Toronto, and an Advanced Diploma in Art and Art History from Sheridan College, in 2025.
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 Magazie – 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.

Honours, Awards and Grants

  • Fraser McKee Scholarship Award for History, Naval Assosiation of Canada, 2025
  • W. J Blackhall Award for Best Altered Image, Hart House Camera Club, University of Toronto, 2025
  • UTPA Scholarship for Academic Excellence, University of Toronto Portuguese Association, 2025
  • Department of Visual Studies Award for Excellence in Photo 3, University of Toronto Mississauga, 2024
  • Department of Visual Studies Award for Excellence in Sculpture 1, University of Toronto Mississauga, 2024

Professional Affilliations

  • Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp Chaudiere
  • Gallery 44
Education: 
HBA, University of Toronto / Sheridan College, 2025
Personal Website: 
https://beatrizsstudio.myportfolio.com/

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