‘John Kiki (born 1943) is another artist not as well known as he deserves to be, though among artists, he is celebrated: Frank Auerbach, for instance, is a mentor and supporter. Kiki hails originally from Cyprus, and although he paints the classical myths, he reckons his upbringing in Great Yarmouth (where he still lives) has been more important for his art than the Mediterranean. The slightly louche vigour of the seaside town, the razzle-dazzle of the funfair and the lights of the seafront and piers have all fed into Kiki’s imagery.

He paints non-naturalistically but employs recognisable figures in the flattened spaces of his vibrant compositions. Zeus and Europa, Leda and the Swan feature in modern (un)dress, along with Mickey Mouse, unspecified lovers and dog-walkers. Kiki draws with a wonderfully liquid line in acrylic paint, paring down the description to the most telling details and increasing the intensity of the colour contrasts and surface textures. He likes to reprise great masterpieces of the past, particularly by El Greco, Velázquez and Picasso. His version of El Greco’s ‘Burial of Count Orgaz’ is one of the most impressive paintings in a highly concentrated and passionate exhibition.’ BY ANDREW LAMBIRTH, THE SPECTATOR, 2014: John Kiki: Myths and Goddesses (Art Space Gallery, 2014)