The Best of the Bahamas, According to an Artist

Some of the most resonant elements of Tavares Strachan’s childhood in the Bahamas were “fruit trees, bike riding, swimming, and fishing,” recalls the artist, who grew up in the capital city of Nassau. “The only rule was: Be home before it [gets] dark.” It was there—through the year-end Junkanoo street festival—that he was first exposed to art. He has since become an acclaimed conceptual artist, creating work that examines themes of cultural memory and invisibility, scientific inquiry, and global exploration. (In 2013, he became the first Bahamian to travel to the North Pole.) This year, Strachan had his first major museum exhibition in the United States, which is now on view (through January 3, 2027) at Ohio’s Columbus Museum of Art. He splits his time between New York City and the Bahamas (home to The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort), where he supports several nonprofits, including the local Boys & Girls Club, via sales of his clothing and accessories line, B.A.S.E.C.

Peas and Rice 

“In the Caribbean, African cooking made its way to the west and was modified in each location. So, there are many versions of [West African] jollof rice. And we call ours peas and rice. In Jamaica, they call it rice and peas. In Barbados, they call it cook-up rice. Traditionally, it’s cooked over a wood fire with a tomato base, a bunch of spice, peas, onions. Cook it up slowly. It’s smoky, smoky, smoky.” 

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas 

“I’ve been many, many times. I have a good artist friend, and we always end up there for a drink for his birthday—usually at the end of the year, and we’re reflecting with the water [view] as a backdrop.” 

Bahamas National Trust  

“I’m working with the trust, which is a conservation enterprise, on a fundraiser. It’s a new series of B.A.S.E.C. [items] featuring the white-crowned pigeon. It’s a rare species of pigeon in the Bahamas.” [The nonprofit Bahamas National Trust manages the country’s 33 national parks, including four on New Providence Island, home to the capital city of Nassau.] 

Bon Vivants 

“It’s a great café slash bar. It’s very bohemian.” 

The Poop Deck East Bay Street 

“You walk in and you see the seafood and you can pick your fish. You’ll eat very good Bahamian food there.” 

The Pepper Pot Grill 

“It’s Caribbean driven, so a lot of curries, a lot of stews. It’s very casual.” 

Bahama Hand Prints 

“Go for silk-screen textiles. They make small-run [clothing and accessories].” [The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas, gifts guests in-room with a Bahama Hand Prints beach bag in a custom pattern made for the resort.] 

Junkanoo 

“It’s like a street festival of West African origin that takes place at the end of December. People build these elaborate costumes out of cardboard and recycled material and newspaper and glue. The story my mom tells me is that eight days after I was born, she took me to Junkanoo at midnight. So, my first encounter with art was through Junkanoo. My uncles were in the [Junkanoo] community, and I fell in love with it also.” 

Exuma Island Excursion with Four Seasons 

“I would encourage people to spend a day in Exuma. The Bahamas are 700 islands—people don’t know that they can take a boat and go to another island. And there are a lot of little cays that are uninhabited. You go, hang out, have a picnic, and you’re alone on a cay.”  

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

A legendary Caribbean hideaway

Discover more