Felix Higham: Here and There

Emerging figurative painter Felix Higham explores the intimate theatre of everyday life in Here and There, his debut solo exhibition at Fen Ditton Gallery. About Opening at Fen Ditton Gallery on 21 January 2027, the much-anticipated debut solo exhibition, Felix Higham: Here and There, brings together a new body of work shaped by more than a decade of observing people from behind the bar. Drawing on this distinctive vantage point, Higham captures the subtle theatre of everyday life: the pause between conversations, the solitary figure absorbed in thought, and the unguarded gestures that emerge when we believe ourselves to be unobserved. For Higham, the pub is more than a setting for socialising. It is a place where conviviality and isolation coexist, where strangers share temporary intimacies and familiar rituals offer a sense of belonging. His paintings explore the complex relationship between public and private life, transforming recognisable interiors into intimate studies of human behaviour, connection and solitude. Bold in colour, impressionistic in style and often joyful or flirtatious in character, Higham’s paintings possess a quieter, more contemplative dimension. Figures lean over half-empty glasses, drift into reverie or seem momentarily absorbed into their surroundings. Worn furniture, architectural details and carefully observed light become integral to these encounters, blurring the boundaries between person and place. Thresholds are a recurring motif. Corridors, windows and doorways suggest glimpses into more intimate worlds, while Higham’s behind-the-bar perspective lends his compositions a distinctive sense of staging. As writer Alice Chasey observes: "t he artist uses his sight lines and a backstage ‘behind the bar’ perspective to observe and render, playfully and affectionately, the public comings and goings of everyday life. […] Think of the artist as a director, waiting in ‘the wings’ while observing the theatricality of our quotidian interactions.” An alumnus of Central Saint Martins and the Royal Drawing School’s Drawing Year, Higham has established a distinctive visual language through sustained observation of contemporary life. Having first exhibited at Fen Ditton Gallery in Voices in Drawing in 2021, Here and There marks a significant milestone in his career, presenting his work in a debut solo exhibition. Collectors' Preview: Thursday 21st January, 5 - 8pm To register for early access to the catalogue, email info@fendittongallery.com Open weekends 10am - 5pm / weekdays by appointment Read more Toggle Drawing Painting