Simone Elizabeth Saunders begins with a gaze. Her portraits of Black women use the eyes as portals — entry points into deeper stories, inviting the viewer to ask what truths lie beneath the surface and what message each figure yearns to share.

Her practice is deeply influenced by Art Nouveau — its whimsy and grace, the figures adorned in shimmering golds, the mesmerizing patterns that envelop them. From this tradition she has forged her own path, creating what she calls Black Nouveau: a vibrant homage that honours Black womanhood while embracing the elegance of a beloved artistic style.

In her series Ancestral Bodies, figures emerge as ethereal, sentient beings woven with cosmic connection. Tufted linework and gold-flecked black thread create tapestries that read like constellations — illuminating the profound bond between past and universe, honouring ancestors whose struggles, love, and legacies transcend time. We are more than flesh. We are vessels of energy, intricately woven into a lineage that defies comprehension.

In Verchü and the Chronicles of the Unicorn, Saunders reimagines the legendary Hunt of the Unicorn through the eyes of Verchü — a Black woman whose courage breathes new life into a Renaissance allegory. Set against lush tropical flora, the white virgin is replaced with a powerful symbol of Black femininity. It is a utopia where the strength of heritage shines brightly, and where a timeless narrative is transformed.