Hollis West
BFA: Art with an Emphasis in Illustration - Comic Arts Certificate
Artist Name:
Hollis West
Work Title:
Whole
Medium:
Wood, steel, wire, thread, beads
Artist Statement:
My name is Hollis West (he/they) and I’m a multimedia Artist. Graduating class of 2026 with a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. The common themes throughout my work are transformation and metamorphosis. As a transgender man and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, identity is a major influence in my work. This piece is a testimony of my survival by healing through art, and the gift of self-acceptance that gender transition has given me. Becoming a fully whole human being for the first time in 28 years, rather than a specter of everything I felt I wasn't, deserves to be celebrated. Due to the current government administration targeting transgender Americans, I feel it’s more important than ever to share my experience. By sharing my lived experience, I hope to cultivate empathy and remind the audience of our shared humanity. I represent depth and passage of time by using open space merged with separate layers working together as one. Each part belongs without displacing the other, all integral parts of the whole piece, much like how a person’s experiences layer their identity. I will likely die without the name I live my life by, but my art will never forget who I always was.
Artist Bio:
Hollis West (he/they) is a multimedia artist attending Webster University, graduating May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in studio art. His roots start in Cherokee Nation/ Tulsa, OK but now resides in St. Louis, MO. His art is inspired by our kinship to the natural world. His work often touches on belonging within yourself, to each other, and to the land. He is passionate about empowering community through art, and the transformative effect art has on the artist as well as the canvas. In addition to fine arts, Hollis has a background of public service, K-12 education, and art instructing. He saw in his community, students, and himself that when you grow as a creator, you grow as a person. This propelled him towards a path of art therapy, and he plans to enroll in an Art Therapy Master’s program after graduation.
Artist Portfolio: