Calabash Tree

Rudi Patterson’s paintings often depict the tropical plants and landscapes of his formative years in Jamaica before he moved to the UK in the 1950s. Here he paints a Calabash Tree, commonly found across Jamaica and the West Indies. The tree produces large spherical fruits with a thin, firm shell. A successful model and actor, Patterson developed his bold style of painting while recovering from a water-skiing accident and his work often engaged with the themes of landscape, nature and memory.

Ref: 2019.264

  • Maker Rudi Patterson
  • Material Gouache on paper
  • Object Type Art
  • Year 1983
  • Collection Number 2019.264