Gallery K, London 1990-2012

Gallery K was launched in November 1990 with the specific purpose of showing and promoting contemporary art in London, with an emphasis on Greek art. The gallery was situated in the heart of Hampstead Village, known for its rich artistic tradition, within a 19th century townhouse converted into an exceptional contemporary gallery space.

The Gallery’s vision was to promote the work of living artists in every medium – paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, ceramics – including promising new talents and established artists whose careers the gallery could develop.

Gallery K quickly gained a reputation as a fine contemporary art gallery, uncovering new talent and showcasing major work by established artists. The success of the gallery stemmed from the dedication and hard work of its Managing Director, Ritsa Kyriacou and the talented staff who worked tirelessly to promote and market the work of an ever-growing roster of artists.

For 22 years Gallery K London exhibited work by almost every Greek or Cypriot artist of note and published more than 100 exhibition catalogues in English, the majority of which are accessible in public libraries in the UK. The Gallery has organised over 100 solo exhibitions and over 70 thematic group exhibitions. The Gallery collaborated with art historians and critics for several shows to curate, organise and select artists. The works of over 500 artists were exhibited in solo or group shows between 1990 and 2012. Interest in Greek art has grown appreciably in the UK and internationally and this phenomenon is reflected in the impressive success of Greek sales held in London’s major auction houses.

The scope of Gallery K ‘s thematic group exhibitions reached beyond that of a conventional commercial gallery and included The Bank of Cyprus London Art Award (1993 and 1995), The KISS (1993 -2003), Moscow Romance (1997), The Green Line Cyprus (2001 and 2002), Lost Heritage Cyprus 1974-2007.

Gallery K participated in many London art fairs such as ART93, ART94, ART95 at the Business Design Centre Islington, the Affordable Art Fair AAF2006, AAF2007 and the International Art Fair 2007. The Gallery was also involved in numerous cultural events within the Borough of Camden and beyond.

The gallery’s knowledgeable and skilled staff were primarily graduates from Art, History of Art and other related disciplines and most were fluently bilingual in English and Greek. The gallery employed 2-3 part-time staff at any one time to assist with the press, publicity, marketing, public relations, publications, graphic design, IT and accounting. The workforce was increased for the organisation of major events.

The reputation of Gallery K as ‘the window of Greek art in London’ (as it was called by the British and Greek press) owed its success to the high standard of the art, the care in which it was exhibited, overwhelmingly positive press coverage and high quality sales to public and corporate collections and private clients. Equally clients were able to rely on expert advice provided by gallery staff on every aspect of the art market. Coupled with the exemplary service was the gallery’s prominent location in Hampstead Village that earned its moniker of the ‘drive-in gallery’, which led to many successful years of viewings and sales.

Since 2012 Gallery K‘s art business activities have been moved to Nicosia

Gallery K London