ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an artist committed to telling stories that matter, stories rooted in the lived experiences of BIPOC and immigrant communities. My work is guided by a deep connection to culture, identity, and memory, using bold realism and expressive color to amplify narratives often left at the margins. I don’t just create portraits, I build layered compositions that reflect the emotional, spiritual, and historical weight of each subject.
Public art has become a growing part of my practice, allowing me to bring these stories into shared spaces where they can resonate more widely. It’s a natural evolution of my work, extending beyond traditional formats to engage directly with communities, make art more accessible, and ensure that these narratives are visible and lasting.
Advocacy and representation are throughlines in all I create. I see my work as a bridge, between past and present, personal and collective, individual stories and broader social truths. Each piece is a dialogue, an invitation to feel, to reflect, and to connect.
Art has the power to move people, to shift perspectives, ignite conversations, and affirm identity. Through my work, I aim to be part of that movement: to create spaces for healing, truth-telling, and joy. I paint not just what I see, but what I know, and what I believe needs to be seen.
ARTIST BIO
Katiana Jarbath Smith is a first-generation Haitian American visual artist whose work reflects the richness, resilience, and complexity of the African Diaspora and immigrant communities. Born and raised in the U.S. by Haitian parents, her identity deeply informs her creative voice and fuels her passion for storytelling, cultural memory, and representation.
Working in both traditional and public spaces, Katiana uses bold realism, expressive color, and layered composition to bring forward narratives that are too often overlooked. Her practice is rooted in honoring lived experiences, blending emotion, symbolism, and identity to create work that speaks to personal and collective truths.
Reconnecting with public art has allowed her to bring these stories into shared environments, making her work more visible, accessible, and rooted in the communities it represents. Whether painting a large-scale mural or creating work for exhibition, she approaches each piece with intention, care, and cultural integrity.
Katiana views her work as a form of creative advocacy, a way to inspire, challenge, and affirm. She is committed to empowering others through art, fostering visibility for underrepresented voices, and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable art landscape. Through every brushstroke, she honors where she comes from and creates space for others to see themselves and be seen.
FAMILY
I have been married for several years and I have two wonderful little boys. I home school my boys so my hands are always full! My family is very patient and supportive of me as an artist and I am so appreciative of that!