Hampstead: The Figurative Guide

Figurative art, also known as representational art, is a type of visual art that depicts real-life objects, people, or landscapes. Put simply, people, places and things!

Figurative art has long been used to capture the essence of the human experience and reflect the values, beliefs, and cultural practices of different societies. From ancient cave paintings to contemporary portraits, figurative art has the power to tap into our emotions and imaginations, by portraying the human world in a myriad of ways.  

Read on to find some of the most captivating figurative artworks, all available to buy at Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, 11 – 14 May!

1. Columbia Road Gallery (stand J2)

We begin the tour with the sumptuous paintings of Sophie Bayntun atColumbia Road Gallery, stand J2. Her paintings are deeply personal, exploring themes of dreaming, longing, and nostalgia. Having suffered with dyslexia from an early age, her paintings are her way of making sense of the world. Her palette of muted, harmonious tones has come to characterise her work. 

2. C-A-K-E Gallery (stand K2)

Now nip around the corner C-A-K-E Gallery (K2), who will be showcasing fantastical paintings by Argentinian artist, Florencia Frashina. Her mythical paintings tell a story through subtle hints and allusions that become more apparent the longer you look at them. Whilst her paintings might seem hedonistic at first glance, they contain a multitude of complex human relationships, conveyed through the use of symbols and metaphors. Princesses, pictured below, reminds us of a summer’s day on Hampstead Heath! We love!

3. Cameron Contemporary (stand G6)

Head to Cameron Contemporary (stand G6) and you’ll find a stunning selection of paintings by Felicity Gill, who specialises in figurative art and portraiture. Her ability to capture the essence of her subjects is extraordinary – this is reflected by her work being showcased in prestigious institutions like the Royal Academy and The Royal Society of Portrait Painters. She’s even been featured on BBC’s Star Portraits! Fair Director Hugo Barclay picked Felicity as one to watch in his Director’s Cut, so make sure to pay her works a visit!

4. Liberty Gallery (stand F2)

Walk around the central bar and stop at Liberty Gallery (stand F2) to find captivating collages by Maria Rivans. Rivans is celebrated for her scrapbook-style, which re-appropriates vintage ephemera to create dreamy realms – each one finished with a dusting of subtle humor!

Liberty Gallery are also proud to showcase prints by Marcelina Amelia, whose work is heavily influenced by her Polish heritage, drawing inspiration from religious iconography, folk tales, and childhood memories. Marcelina’s unique style has gained widespread recognition, and her work has been featured in a range of esteemed publications, including Vogue, The New York Times, and Der Spiegel.

5. Julie Cross, Greenstage Gallery (stand B5)

It’s time to head to Greenstage Gallery at the farthest side of the fair to soak up figurative paintings by Julie Cross. Julie creates enigmatic figurative works, typically featuring solitary female figures and faces. Ambiguous backgrounds and abstracted landscapes are signature to her work – allowing the viewer to create their own story.

6. Wayne Attwood, Marine House at Beer (stand B1)

Walk along the aisle a little further and you’ll spot Marine House at Beer in the corner (stand B1). This is our last stop, and it’s not one to skip! Discover work by new artist Wayne Attwood, whose work explores the emotional response to human relationships and memory. Attwood’s unique style eschews traditional “realist” approaches, instead prioritising unresolved interpretations and leaving room for emotional resonance. He achieves this through a process of applying multiple layers and marks, improvising and constantly moving the active paint layer. In Attwood’s own words, his paintings represent the “ghosts of the memory of feeling”.

That concludes our whistle stop tour of figurative artworks at Affordable Art Fair Hampstead, but don’t worry, you’ll find 1,000s more artworks to discover at the fair! If you don’t have your tickets yet, you know what to do!