Lacey's figures, with their large stylized heads and minuscule bodies, are akin to a cartoonist's drawing. But his painting style has more in common with the Romantic's expression of emotion, and his imagery with the Surrealist's evocation of the subconscious, to ever consider the work as merely entertaining. These enigmatic figures, simple folk of certain charm, can be interpreted as symbols for humanity as it experiences love and fear, tribulations and peace.

The artist's understanding of colour gives an added potency to his uncluttered canvases. His excellent manipulation of tone in the mostly monochromatic compositions sets the mood, then when the tones are altered slightly in a related exhibit, the narrative is quite different. For example in Mid the Marris and the Bracken two figures work their way through a strange landscape of spindly trees and curling shrubs bent on entangling them. The image is composed in well orchestrated shades of grey with a pink tinged light seen through the trees that suggests hope. The same theme and colour scheme is noted in Circles Erratica however here the artist exchanges the black and white 'bracken' for an undefined black ground, and tones down the pink in the sky. Suddenly these two seem hopelessly lost.

Often the same image is repeated on a different scale however in each instance, the smaller work does not appear to be a study for the larger rendition, as each exhibit is a complete entity and offers it's own satisfaction. The Trial is a series of three small works, each with a surface that glows with smooth rich colour and value rhythms. This same quality is held throughout The Tormentors (The Trial) a larger version of #1 in the smaller series. In these all exhibits it is the application of the medium and treatment of the surface, the painting more then the picture, that invites the viewer and holds the interest.

Lacey has found a singular style and should continue his explorations within the limited palette, as some works like Musing the Muse 2 and Going Somewhere #3, seem unresolved in the use of colour. The colour scheme in the former is more frightening then the menacing shadow depicted while the bright red car in the latter is a case of overdone naivety. Both these works pale in comparison to Retreat, a simple image that displays all that is well appreciated in Lacey's unique style.