"The Shaver (Study). 2011" Drawing

Works displayed here are part of an archive of paintings, drawings and studies made by Charles Harrison from 2007-2017, many available for purchase for the first time. Pieces in this archive are in the process of being condition-checked and new works will be made available as part of this process.

Charles Harrison (b. 1986, Kenya) was a dynamic painter whose work explored the depths of human emotion and connection. Upon graduating in 2007, he captivated collectors and audiences alike, first gaining recognition with a series of sell-out exhibitions with Woodbine Gallery.

Harrison’s paintings are not portraits in the traditional sense but rather expressions of human experience—fluid, layered, and deeply introspective. His figures emerged from textured surfaces, built through an instinctive process of abstraction and realism. By layering colour, mark-making, and spatial depth, he created works that evoke the complexity of human interaction and perception.

Quoted at the time, Harrison commented “In these faces, I seek a kind of abstract realism—one that resonates both visually and emotionally. I want the viewer to feel a moment of recognition, as if their gaze is met and understood.”

With a growing international presence, the majority of his work is held in private collections worldwide, solidifying his reputation as an artist whose work speaks to the universal nature of human connection.