COMPLEMENTARY, featuring Nahshon Hollis and Shanna Hollis | August 21 – October 3
in the Rick Faries Gallery
Born from the same home yet shaped by distinctly different perspectives, Complementary marks the first collaborative exhibition by Bermudian siblings Nahshon Hollis and Shanna Hollis.
Raised in the Hollis House, the artists have developed unique visual languages that often arrive at the same questions from opposite directions. Together, their work reveals a shared creative foundation while celebrating the individuality that defines each of their practices.
Nahshon Hollis presents hyperrealistic paintings alongside the debut of his graphic style, exploring identity, nature, neighbourhood, and the quiet poetry of everyday environments. His work reflects an introspective way of seeing, finding beauty and meaning in stillness, gardens, and the spaces often overlooked.
Shanna Hollis presents graphic works that examine identity, the environment, performance, community, and the idea of the “Bermuda smile.” Bold, vibrant, and socially engaged, her work celebrates the energy of people, place, and public life.
Like night and day, tradition and pop, stillness and movement, the siblings occupy opposite ends of the same creative spectrum. Nahshon is the quiet observer; Shanna, the expressive storyteller. One finds inspiration in solitude, the other through connection. Yet their work continually echoes one another through shared themes of identity, environment, and the Bermudian experience.
The exhibition’s title comes from the idea that “two things are complementary if they combine well together, making up for each other’s differences and forming a complete, well-rounded whole.” More than describing their artistic practices, Complementary reflects the relationship between the siblings themselves. Individually, their voices are distinct. Together, they create a richer portrait of Bermuda, family, and the ways contrasting perspectives can exist in perfect harmony.
Key Dates:
Opening Reception: Friday, August 21 | 5:30 – 7pm
Artist Talk: Thursday, September 10 | 5:30 – 7pm
All-Ages Workshop: Linocut Tote Printing with Shanna Hollis: Saturday, September 12 | 10am-12pmMuseum Late: Friday, October 2 | 5:00-7:30pm
Artist Bio
Nahshon Hollis discovered his passion for art at just two years old and has been dedicated to oil painting since the age of seven, inspired by the gentle guidance and imagination of television’s iconic instructor, Bob Ross.
Nahshon has been featured multiple times in the Bermuda Premier’s Concert. At thirteen, he held his first solo exhibition at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. In 2009, he was highlighted on Oprah Winfrey’s website as part of her Search for the World’s Most Talented Kids. He went on to earn the Bermuda Outstanding Teen Award in Visual Arts in 2013.
He continued his artistic training at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In 2024, Nahshon achieved two major national honors: winning Bermuda’s premier art competition, the Charman Prize, and receiving the Best of Bermuda Award for visual artists. In 2025, in partnership with The Bermuda Tourism Authority, he had the pleasure of showcasing his work at the House of Robb for Miami Art Week.
Artist Statement:
Born and raised in Bermuda, Nahshon draws deeply from the island’s vibrant culture, lush landscapes, and dynamic people. His work spans a wide range of subjects and styles—from incredibly realistic portraits to surreal compositions, symbolic graphic work, the surroundings of his neighborhood and garden, and sweeping landscapes of Bermuda and his imagination. This diversity reflects both his curiosity and his commitment to exploring the endless possibilities of oil paint.
Artist Bio
Shanna Hollis is a Bermudian graphic designer, muralist, arts educator, and the Chair of the Bermuda Arts Council. Guided by her motto, “rebuilding community through creation and creativity equals positivity,” her work is rooted in a deep commitment to cultural expression, education, community building, and visual storytelling. Hollis’s designs are widely recognized for their vibrant color palettes, bold patterns, and dynamic compositions.
Her creative practice spans murals, branding, textiles, and interior design. She has created eye-catching murals on buildings both locally and internationally, designed stylish textile collections in collaboration with TABS, and transformed the décor of homes and businesses across Bermuda. As an arts educator, Hollis is passionate about nurturing creativity in others and empowering the next generation through visual arts and design. Her work celebrates island life, community, identity, and personal experience, drawing inspiration from her upbringing and surroundings. She was motivated to pursue a creative career by her brother, Nahshon Hollis, a professional oil painter.
Hollis completed her studies at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2018. That same year, her work gained international recognition when Footwear News Magazine featured her fashion collection thesis, “21 Miles.” She has since designed branding and NFTs for Grammy Award-winning artist Ashanti and won the Bermuda Society of Arts Graphic Design Showcase Award in 2018.
In 2021, Hollis participated in the Masterworks 441 Exhibition, debuting a new graphic illustration style. In 2022, she designed a commemorative mural honoring Olympic gold medalist Flora Duffy and participated in the Forbes 30 Under 30 residency program in Bermuda. In 2023, she was invited to join the Bermuda Arts Council and was subsequently appointed Chair.
In 2024, Hollis took part in Bermuda’s inaugural Bermuda Walls Mural Event and collaborated with the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s “Paint the Town Pink” initiative, which included an exhibition in New York City. She later created a historic mural in St. George’s that documents Bermuda’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrating the town’s cultural and historical significance. The mural was subsequently featured in Essence, Observer, and Black Enterprise magazines.
In 2025, Hollis continued to expand her international impact. She participated in Bermuda Walls and the Wynwood Mural Fest in Miami, further solidifying her presence on the global mural scene. That year, she was awarded the Bermuda National Trust Cultural Heritage Certificate and received The Bermudian Magazine’s Product and Service Award for Graphic Design, recognizing her outstanding contributions to Bermuda’s creative, educational, and cultural landscape.
