PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Award-winning Trinidadian artist Nicholas Huggins unveils his culminating artistic trilogy with “Tropical Dreams,” a landmark exhibition running December 16-20 at the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago in Federation Park. The 35-year-old St. Ann’s resident presents 64 meticulously crafted pieces that serve as a visual chronicle of Caribbean life and memory, completing a thematic journey that began with “Up to Now” (2023) and “Field Trip” (2024).
Huggins, who leads the acclaimed Backyard Design Company, has achieved international recognition through prestigious accolades including multiple gold and silver Addy awards and the distinguished Charlie Award for his steelpan-themed Google Doodle. His large-scale installations grace prominent public spaces including C3 Centre, East Gates Mall, and the Phase 2 panyard, while his creative vision has extended to album artwork for Kes The Band.
The exhibition emerges from an intensive daily practice Huggins initiated on January 1, 2025, producing over 300 artworks shared through his Instagram platform. “This collection functions as a visual journal of my year,” Huggins revealed, noting the inclusion of 12 still life compositions featuring quintessential Trinidadian household items – Angostura bitters, local fruits, vegetables, and Crix crackers – designed to evoke shared cultural experiences.
In a significant artistic evolution, Huggins transitions from digital mastery to traditional mediums, showcasing paintings, ink drawings, watercolors, and pastels. A centerpiece installation features 25 small-format works arranged as a cohesive wall display, representing the artist’s diverse technical exploration throughout his daily creative challenge.
Huggins describes the exhibition’s title as embodying “our memories of living in Trinidad and the broader Caribbean, and the hopes we have for the place we call home.” He aspires for viewers to recognize their own lives and surroundings within the artwork, capturing fleeting moments of Trinidadian existence through his distinctive visual language.
The artist acknowledges the profound impact of international recognition while maintaining that client satisfaction remains his primary focus. “Projects like the Google Doodle expanded my audience significantly,” Huggins noted, “but awards simply indicate that jurors find the work noteworthy.”
Following this exhibition, Huggins anticipates a professional pause as he prepares for fatherhood with his wife Alex Beadon Huggins, who provides crucial marketing support for his endeavors. The artist will temporarily shift focus toward his design agency, family priorities, and gallery management at 12 Mucurapo Road while maintaining creative exploration.
Huggins offers aspiring creatives succinct advice: “Continue your practice with patience, follow your interests, and preserve your curiosity.” “Tropical Dreams” opens December 16 with a 5-6 PM reception and continues through December 20 during regular gallery hours.