ANASTASIA BAY
b. 1988, FranceAnastasia Bay’s vivid, dynamic and emotive paintings riff on icons of classical art history, mythology and theatre. Her expressive works are masterfully composed and rendered in a signature blend of pastel and acrylic, mixing tonally shifting translucence with bold, block colours.
Early Years
Bay studied fine art under François Boisrond at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, graduating in 2012. In 2013, she relocated to Brussels, where she co-founded Clovis XV, an experimental art studio in Anderlecht, Belgium. Her practice is informed by a diverse range of influences, from Minoan frescoes to comic strips, reflecting a synthesis of historical and contemporary visual languages.
Anastasia Bay’s Artworks
Bay’s dynamic and simplified portraits and still lives are rendered in vibrant pastels and pigments. Her work cites iconic, dramatic, or theatrical tableaus from classical, medieval, and Renaissance art history, while riffing on the lyrical, surreal, or cubist reduction of forms and figures seen in the work of modern painters like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, or Francis Bacon.
‘The Stumbler’s Parade’ (2023)
In this series exhibited at Venus over Manhattan in 2023, Bay draws inspiration from Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s The Blind Leading the Blind (1568), creating twelve large-scale paintings that reinterpret the theme of collective folly. Rendered in soft pastels, the works depict figures in motion, capturing moments of imbalance and vulnerability.
Maestra Lacrymae (2024)
Maestra Lacrymae was presented within the Meridians sector of Art Basel Miami Beach in 2024, where artists are invited to present work that is ambitious and large-scale; these works are often a highlight of the event. Conceived as an opera, Maestra Lacrymae combines an epic triptych painting of a parade, a larger-than-life reclined harlequin doll sculpture, with live performance and musical components. Bay collaborated with musician Joseph Schiano di Lombo to bring mythical and classical figures to life, exploring narratives of transformation and resistance.
Exhibitions
Anastasia Bay has been featured in both solo and group exhibitions at prestigious institutions. Notable exhibitions include:
Solo Exhibitions
- Venus Over Manhattan, New York (2025)
- Maestra Lacrymae, Sorry We’re Closed, Brussels (2024)
- The Stumbler’s Parade, Venus Over Manhattan, New York (2023)
- Le Réveil des Cariatides, Galerie Derouillon, Paris (2022)
- One Hundred Ghost Stories, Sorry We’re Closed, Brussels (2021)
Group Exhibitions
- Painting After Painting, S.M.A.K., Ghent (2025)
- The Rings of Saturn, Galerie Derouillon, Paris (2023)
- Light up the Sky, The Pit, Los Angeles (2022)
- Person(A), Venus Over Manhattan, New York (2022)
- This Must Be the Place, Villa Schönigen, Potsdam (2021)
Anastasia Bay’s Instagram can be found here.
Anastasia Bay FAQs
What themes does Anastasia Bay explore in her work?
Bay’s paintings delve into themes of mythology, performance, and the human condition, often reinterpreting classical narratives through a modern perspective.
Where can I view Anastasia Bay’s artworks?
Her works are held in public collections such as the Fondation Lafayette Anticipations in Paris, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami, the X Museum in Beijing, and the Zuzeum Museum in Riga.
Has Anastasia Bay collaborated with other artists?
Yes, notably in her Maestra Lacrymae project, she collaborated with musician Joseph Schiano di Lombo to create an immersive exhibition blending visual art and music.
What distinguishes Bay’s painting style?
Bay’s style is marked by bold lines, simplified forms, and a dynamic use of colour, often depicting figures in motion and drawing from a rich tapestry of historical and contemporary influences.
Ocula | 2025
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