Derrick Adams Rings in the Holidays with ‘Tree Huggers’
You can view Tree Huggers at Soho Winterland on the terrace at DUMBO House throughout the festive season.
Photo Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House
The holidays are a special time of year for unification, gathering, celebration, and connection. Regardless of the culture, tradition, or holiday, being surrounded by your loved ones provides you with a warm feeling—and who doesn’t love a good Christmas tree?
Until the end of 2025, multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams is exhibiting his installation, Tree Huggers. On view on the terrace of DUMBO House, Tree Huggers embodies Adams’ epochal use of color and pattern, as well as the politicization around it. The installation literally invites viewers with open arms: 30 lit-up Christmas trees stand at human height, resembling a human embrace.
Photo Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House
“The tree was the canvas for this project,” Adams tells 1202 MAGAZINE. “When they invited me to do this, I wanted to come up with something that was a little more performative. Most of my work in my earlier career, beyond paintings, was performance art.”
The Christmas trees overlook the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO ice rink, and Manhattan’s skyline. The interactive installation invites viewers to play with the arms, hold their hands, and even give it a hug. Each tree’s arms have different colors, patterns, and fabrics—conveying that regardless of who we are or what we do, we require human connection.
Photo Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House
“I really wanted to incorporate the extension of arms reaching out to the audience as they operate around the environment,” he says. “I have the armature built with a metal structure similar to a gooseneck. They’re attached to the trunks of the trees, providing stability for their arms. They’re not fragile at all. I’ve created these arms as other iterations in installations.”
Tree Huggers’ arms include fabrics and patterns such as stripes, cheetah print, Kente cloth, polka dots, and multicolor. They personify seasonal and lifetime amusement. He used these patterns and fabrics to juxtapose the stories and experiences of being a Black American.
“It’s about embracing,” says Adams. “It’s also a political part of my practice. I call it the politics of play—where people allow themselves to play a part in the psychology of our societies. Having a balance of play gives you space to experiment and engage with more.”
Photo Courtesy of Derrick Adams and DUMBO House
Adams, now represented by Gagosian, has been creating art and sparking dialogue centered on Black life and culture for over 30 years. In 2022, he founded Charm City Cultural Cultivation, a non-profit organization that supports underserved communities in Baltimore. Adams has also exhibited in dozens of solo and group exhibitions worldwide.
“Every time I work on a project, it always gives me more ideas,” he says. “Tree Huggers is about experience, and that’s the monetary part of it. The culture as currency is really a part of the piece—the cultural part being engaging with it is a real takeaway.”
You can view Tree Huggers at Soho Winterland on the terrace at DUMBO House throughout the festive season.
