After six years of hosting the fundraising art exhibit, “Paintings In The Garden”, in New York, TT-born artist Alicia Aberdeen-Jones is bringing the seventh edition of the event to T&T. The opening gala is on August 28, at the Central Bank auditorium and will feature a number of well-known talents, among them Mungal Patasar and Carol Addison. The event is being held in collaboration with Accommodata Services and part proceeds will go to Serenity Place Empowerment Centre for Women in Guapo. “This year’s theme is Zandolie in a Mango Tree—The Essence of a People,”Aberdeen-Jones said.
Glen Roopchand’s “Tobago Jig”.
“Dynamic; safe space; resilience; movement; survival; enjoyment; eccentric; freedom; camouflage; beauty; opportunity; reenergise—these are all perfect interpretations of the image and the people and homeland it represents.”
Tyler Villaruel’s “Knock Out”.
The exhibit will run until September 10 and will showcase the work of a mix of established and up-and-coming local artists.
The artists
Alvin Clayton Fernandes: A self-taught visual artist who works primarily in oils and signs his work Clayton, TT-born and US-based, he was inspired by the works of the French Impressionist movement, particularly Henri Matisse. His canvasses are vibrant with the colours of his Caribbean roots. Photography is also an important influence in his work, especially the works of Harlem renaissance photographer James Van Der Zee. The themes of his work span everyday life—past and current situations current, family life, friendships, politics, the arts, and all that speaks to humanity.
Fernandes’ work has been collected internationally after it was featured in a piece by Elsa Klensch for CNN House of Style. His work has since been featured at the Smithsonian Centre for African American Arts and Culture, and has also been featured in several films and television shows—most recently the Best Man Holiday.
Janice Derrick: Born in T&T, she migrated to England at the age of 16, where she did a first degree in silversmithing, jewelry and allied crafts at Sir John Cass faculty at London Guildhall University. In 1997 she received a Clerkenwell Award to set up her studio near the heart of London’s jewelry quarter, Hatton Garden, and Janice Derrick Jewellery was born.
In 2005, she returned to TT and continues to develop her jewelry and silversmithing practice. Her work is inspired by clean lines, movement, geometry and the structure of manmade and natural forms and has been sold through galleries and museum shops internationally, Derrick has also exhibited in TT Germany, France, Japan, across the UK and the US.
Glenn Roopchand: A protege of the eminent Trinidadian artist, Carlisle Chang, Glenn Roopchand studied graphic art at John Donaldson technical institute in Trinidad and later on a scholarship to Pratt Institute in New York.
He later studied fine art at Montclair State University, the Art Students League, and Brooklyn college. Roopchand was a prolific artist who has made a valuable contribution to Trinidad’s art history. His work is in many collections including that of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. He died in 2022.
Shivanie Thomas is a 19-year-old mixed-media artist from San Juan, Trinidad, whose work is a serene tapestry woven from biblical stories and the vibrant life of the tropical Caribbean. A graduate of Bishop Anstey High School, her hand has been trained to capture the world with intricate detail and a sophisticated palette. Guided by the principle from Colossians 3:23–24, her art is a profound expression of faith, transforming each piece into an offering to a divine Creator. Her depictions of nature are imbued with this spiritual essence, using cool tones to evoke peace and harmony. Shivanie also finds purpose in the alchemy of art, masterfully breathing new life into recycled materials to enhance her narrative. Her work is a sanctuary, inviting viewers to find tranquillity and reflection through bible stories and the beauty of the natural world.
Beverly Fitzwilliam-Harries: TT-born Fitzwilliam-Harries always had a strong appreciation for art throughout her primary and secondary education; so studying Fine Art in Canada with a Painting major at Fanshawe College was a natural choice. She later taught art at Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain, and was on the examining committee for CXC Art & Craft in Barbados. She works with acrylics on canvas, has had nine solo shows and continues to conduct small classes and workshops in Port of Spain.
“I walk through the garden and take slices from the sides. I am so affected by global warming and vexed about it, I just want to praise mother earth,” Fitzpatrick-Harris said of her work.
Tyler Villaruel is a visual artist from Sangre Grande. He works primarily with acrylics, charcoal, and graphite, drawing inspiration from everyday life – the way a tree moves in the wind, the sound of music, and the old-time stories his grandparents shared.
He has showcased his work at the Rotunda Gallery at the Red House, the Art Society of TT and two times at Paintings In The Garden in New York, with the most recent being at the Consulate General of TT in December 2024. He also illustrated a children’s story series that was published in the newspaper.
For more information or to purchase tickets go to: https://islandetickets.com/event/PITG-TT. Tickets also available at CBTT Box Office. Contact: Gail (868) 759-3292 Anatomy Tech (868) 221-2437.
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