“Imagine it as Art” by Kikos Lanitis

Kikos Lanitis’ paintings have always influenced me since the very first glance. It’s the dynamics that the image obtains by the mixture of figures, rough materials, words and phrases with warm colors, red being his favourite by far. The artist himself says his paintings awake such strong emotions that they are tough to look at. I’d say they “up-set” your mind in a way that makes you think and analyse the reality they represent. They call you to action. “I call each and every visitor to create their own images and their own messages” answers Kikos in an enigmatic smile.

At his current exhibition in Gloria Gallery, Nicosia, Kikos Lanitis plays with elements from classic paintings like Munch’s “Scream”, Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”, Gaugin’s “Meal” and even Manet’s “Picnic at the Park”, the painting considered as the one to have marked the start of the innovative art movements of the 20th century.  Kikos translates these classics (each one of them revolutionary for their era) and re-evaluates them in a 21st century context, only recalling them as titles, distant memories or impressions in his own trademark style, in a post-modern art revolution which depicts present sociopolitical phenomena and worries of the creator.

“Imagine it as Art”, Gloria Gallery, Nicosia

23 March – 20 April 2011

Mon-Sat 10.30-12.45, 17.30-20.00

www.gloriagallery.com