MATILDE SIMAS
ARTIST CV
Matilde Simas is a documentary and fine art photographer whose work explores human rights, displacement, gender-based violence, and the resilience of communities impacted by social injustice. Through trauma-informed and consent-based portraiture, Simas creates visual narratives that center dignity, agency, and the complexities of the human experience.
Her long-term photographic practice examines the intersection of vulnerability and resilience, documenting communities impacted by human trafficking, forced displacement, disability, cultural traditions, and social injustice across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Selected Long-Term Projects
From Shadows to Light: A Global Journey Through the Aftermath of Trafficking
2018–Present
A multi-year photographic investigation examining the human impact of trafficking through intimate portraiture, survivor-centered storytelling, and community narratives. The project explores the complex realities of recruitment, systems of control, displacement, and the pathways toward recovery, resilience, and justice.
From Shadows to Light
Forthcoming Monograph
A visual exploration of survival and transformation following experiences of trafficking and displacement. Structured around four themes: recruitment and false promises, systems of control, displacement and fragmentation, and recovery and justice.
Forced to Marry
Uganda / South Sudan
A photographic and film series examining the intersection of conflict, displacement, and gender-based violence through the experiences of young girls living in Uganda’s Imvepi Refugee Settlement after fleeing war in South Sudan.
Through intimate portraiture and first-person narratives, the work explores the realities of forced marriage, interrupted education, food insecurity, and the challenges faced by displaced women and children while highlighting their resilience, hopes, and aspirations for the future.
Omo Valley Portraits
Ethiopia
A portrait series documenting Indigenous communities of Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, exploring identity, tradition, cultural preservation, and the complex relationship between heritage and modernization.
Woman Rising
A documentary photographic series and film extending Simas’ photographic practice into moving image storytelling. The film explores one woman’s journey through human trafficking, survival, and recovery while centering voice, agency, and the path toward healing.
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
From Shadows to Light: A Global Journey Through the Aftermath of Trafficking
Griffin Museum of Photography / Lafayette City Center Passageway
Boston, Massachusetts
2026
A large-scale photographic exhibition featuring 20 works from Matilde Simas’ decade-long investigation into human trafficking and its aftermath. Through intimate portraiture and documentary storytelling, the exhibition explores systems of control, displacement, resilience, and pathways toward recovery and justice.
Exhibition catalog published by the Griffin Museum of Photography.
From Shadows to Light: A Global Journey Through the Aftermath of Trafficking
Social Documentary Network / Galerie Joseph
Paris Photo Week
Paris, France
2026
International presentation of Matilde Simas’ large-scale photographic exhibition featuring 20 works exploring the aftermath of human trafficking through documentary storytelling, portraiture, and themes of resilience, recovery, and justice.
Omo Valley Portraits
FotoNostrum Gallery
Barcelona, Spain
2025
Omo Valley Portraits
Bridge Gallery
Cambridge, Massachusetts
2023
Faces Behind Atrocity: Stories of Modern-Day Slavery
New Bedford Art Museum
New Bedford, Massachusetts
2020–2021
Adams House Gallery
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
2019
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, Massachusetts
2018
University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
2018
Kenya National Archives at UNODC
Nairobi, Kenya
2017
Kenya National Archives at IOM
Nairobi, Kenya
2017
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
IN TRANSIT: The Body as Currency
Kay Chernush Virtual Gallery
2023–2024
Atlas of Humanity
Soho Photo Gallery
New York, New York
2023
Julia Margaret Cameron Exhibition
FotoNostrum Gallery
Barcelona, Spain
2023
ACTION
PHOTO IS:RAEL International Photography Festival
Tel Aviv, Israel
2022
Atlas of Humanity
Foro Buonaparte 67
Milan, Italy
2022
The Portrait
Praxis Gallery
Minneapolis, Minnesota
2022
Atlas of Humanity
Galerie Joseph Le Marais
Paris, France
2022
WORLD VIEW
Bridge Gallery
Cambridge, Massachusetts
2022
UNICEF Photo of the Year Exhibition
House of the Federal Press Conference
Berlin, Germany
2022
UNICEF Photo of the Year Exhibition
Willy Brandt House
Berlin, Germany
2022
Represent Resilience: Learning from Yesterday, Building a Stronger Tomorrow
Washington, DC
2020
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & EDITORIAL FEATURES
ARTDOC Photography Magazine
The Suri Guardians of the Land and Rivers
2026
Cover Artist / Featured Photographer
Publication highlighting Matilde Simas’ documentary and fine art photographic practice exploring human trafficking, displacement, resilience, and the human experience.
Griffin Museum of Photography
From Shadows to Light: A Global Journey Through the Aftermath of Trafficking
Exhibition Catalog
2026
Featured in the exhibition publication accompanying the solo exhibition presented by the Griffin Museum of Photography.
Journey Magazine
Suri Guardians
2026
Featured Photographer and writer / Multi-page Editorial Feature
Contemporary editorial feature highlighting Matilde Simas’ fine art portraiture and visual storytelling across cultural and fashion contexts.
United States Department of State
Trafficking in Persons Report
2021–2024
Selected photographs published in annual reports.
METRO UK
“Sold for Sex and Slavery: The Girls and Young Women Learning to Live After Trafficking”
2023
ZEKE: Documentary Magazine
Documentary Feature Publication
2022
UNICEF USA
“Bringing Trafficking Survivors Out of the Shadows”
Featuring Sarah Ferguson
2021
SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHY HONORS & DISTINCTIONS
2025
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
Awareness Against Human Trafficking — HAART Kenya
Gold Award
Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA)
Selected Recognition
2023
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
Survivor: A Global Look at Human Trafficking
Silver Award
Critical Mass
Omo Valley Portraits
Top 200 Photographer
reFocus Awards
Omo Valley Portraits
Honorable Mention
2022
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Suri Tribe, West Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Second Place — People / Traditions / Culture
19th Julia Margaret Cameron Worldwide Photography Award
Omo Valley Portraits
Honorable Mention
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
South Sudanese Refugee Mothers
State of the World Curator Selection
UNICEF Photo of the Year
Bringing Mobility to Children with Limb Loss
Honorable Mention
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Dead Vlei Trees
Jury Top 5 Selection
2021
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
Constant Fear of Death: Living with Albinism
State of the World — Official Curatorial Selection
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Constant Fear of Death: Living with Albinism
Gold Award — Social Cause
Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA)
Constant Fear of Death: Living with Albinism
Gold Award — People
Festival of Ethical Photography
Fleeing War: Stories of South Sudanese Refugees
Nonprofit World Shortlist
2020
United States Department of Justice
Represent Resilience: Learning from Yesterday, Building a Stronger Tomorrow
Art Award
International Photography Awards (IPA)
In Shadow: Child Trafficking
Silver Award — Social Cause
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
Philippines: Children Living in Perpetual Invisibility
State of the World Prize
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
The Truth About Albinism in Annual Report
Bronze Award
Moscow International Foto Awards
Dead Vlei Trees
Gold Award — Nature / Trees
Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA)
Hidden from Society: Children with Disabilities
Gold Award — People
Black & White Magazine
Student in Medan, Indonesia
Children’s Portrait Winner
2019
Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA)
Human Trafficking Philippines
Silver Award — Editorial Personality
UNICEF Photo of the Year
Human Trafficking in the Philippines
Honorable Mention
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Living with Albinism
Silver Award — Social Cause
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
FGM
State of the World Prize
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
Maasai Custom: FGM
Silver Award — Annual Reports
2018
International Photography Awards (IPA)
FGM
Gold Award — Social Cause
International Photography Awards (IPA)
FGM
Honorable Mention — Culture & Traditions
Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA)
Faces Behind Atrocity
Bronze Award — Book
Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA)
Maasai Custom: FGM
Bronze Award — People
2017
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Faces Behind Atrocity
Silver Award — Social Cause
PX3 Prix de la Photographie de Paris
Faces Behind Atrocity
Honorable Mention
FILM
Woman Rising
Director / Producer
Woman Rising is a documentary film extending Matilde Simas’ decade-long photographic investigation into human trafficking and resilience. The film centers subject voice, agency, and recovery while challenging narratives that define individuals solely through trauma.
Film Festival Awards & Distinctions
Best New England Documentary
Boston Doc Film Festival
Best Original Story
Milan Independent Film Festival
Milan, Italy
Tarkovski Grant
Film Development Grant
Selected Film Festival Screenings
Boston Doc Film Festival
Arlington, Massachusetts
Rhode Island International Film Festival
RISD Museum
Providence, Rhode Island
Social Documentary Network Photo Festival
Leica Gallery Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Milan Independent Film Festival
Milan, Italy
New Bedford Film Festival
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Social Impact Film Festival
WBUR CitySpace
Boston, Massachusetts
COLLECTIONS
Atlas of Humanity Collection
South Sudanese Refugees Series
Milan, Paris, South Africa
ARTWORKS for Freedom Collection
Faces Behind Atrocity
Washington, DC
African Union Collection
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Boston Children’s Hospital International Gallery Collection
Boston, Massachusetts
ARTIST TALKS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Global Forum on Forced Marriage
Keynote Speaker
UNICEF
Boston, Massachusetts
PHOTO IS:RAEL International Photography Festival
Invited Speaker / Featured Artist Presenter / Artist Talk
ACTION
Tel Aviv, Israel
2022
Leica Talk: Human Trafficking and Social Documentary Photography
Social Documentary Network Festival
Leica Gallery Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Guest for Good
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Human Trafficking in Kenya
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
Photography for Social Change
Dean College
Franklin, Massachusetts
“Taste of Freedom: Photography as a Tool for Social Change”
Mentari
New York, New York
Photography Matters
Northampton Center for the Arts
Northampton, Massachusetts
PUBLIC PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
As an extension of her documentary practice, Matilde Simas engages communities through screenings, artist talks, exhibitions, and educational programs focused on human rights, social justice, resilience, and ethical storytelling.
Selected Community Screenings & Public Presentations
Maine State House
Augusta, Maine
Center Theatre for the Performing Arts
Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
Cumberland County Courthouse
Portland, Maine
Salvation Army — Tools for Life Community Resource & Safety Program
Portland, Maine
Crossroads Rehabilitation Center
Gorham, Maine
Integrated Life Foundation
Gorham, Maine
Salvation Army
Portland, Maine