Retreat and Return

February 1962 - February 1964

Hugh returned to New York Sunday, February 18th, 1962, and was met by Iona and John. Despite the fact that it was winter, he was very happy to be back and settled in at 7 Jones Street. However, in August he quite abruptly decided to return to Trinidad, despite misgivings expressed earlier in the month. He had changed his mind very suddenly and on August 25th, he was back in Trinidad.

Trinidad was about to gain its independence and Hugh was immediately in the thick of things as art shows were very much part of the celebrations. He became completely absorbed in the independence festivities. As usual his enthusiasm moderated as his stay lengthened.

He had arranged for an exhibition to open December 1st, and he had also agreed to teach a course in textile design in the winter.

However, he was drinking more and very likely having blackouts with the attendant outbursts. His use of alcohol may have kept depression at bay, but there were obviously other consequences from it that were affecting both Hugh and those around him, particularly his parents.

His heavy drinking persisted, and he did almost no painting for much of 1963. The textile course attracted only four students, but it went on regardless. As the year went on, he was increasingly losing track of what was happening around him.

By October, Hugh’s family was very worried about his behaviour and about his self-destructive slide into alcoholism. They were trying in various ways to get him back to painting by buying paintings and displaying the work, which he acknowledged. However, for the most part, he saw the concern, particularly his brothers’, as disapproval. In the end, they turned to Daphne in hope that she would have some influence, but he was loath to change as he claimed rum banished his depression.

In late January, Daphne came to Trinidad, and this moderated his drinking and his lethargy. He consented to a return to New York in February, much to the relief of his family.

Photos of Hugh
In Trinidad 1964
In Trinidad 1964

Hugh is seen here with brother Jeffrey and Joan Donnelley, who came to Trinidad with Daphne in 1964 to help her to persuade him to leave Trinidad for New York.