Bryce Nicholson is a Bali-based contemporary artist whose surreal oil portraiture unveils the internal conflicts of identity, bringing hidden emotions to the surface. Born in 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to a mixed-race family, Bryce found solace in art amidst a challenging upbringing, shaping his exploration of the human psyche. His work juxtaposes inner turmoil with external expression, inspired by the emotive chiaroscuro of Caravaggio and the surreal distortions of Francis Bacon.

Initially known for hyperrealistic charcoal drawings, Bryce shifted to oil painting during the 2020 pandemic, layering phthalo blue to evoke grief and memory, culminating in luminous highlights that create sculptural, contorted forms. His Echoes of Hiroshima series, inspired by Japanese culture, chronicles resilience, while his Bali works contrast traditional udeng headwear with modern habits, probing cultural tensions.

Bryce’s notable exhibitions include Miami Art Week 2021 at Le Chick, a Tokyo residency with ByJerry, and a 2025 Toronto show at Youthful Vengeance. His Momentals series—postcard-sized surreal and celebrity portraits—and Momentals Totems, monumental wooden installations, invite displaced communities to connect. Aspiring to collaborate with brands like Off-White, Bryce weaves global influences from Tokyo to Egypt, uniting collectors in a shared ‘tribe.’