An Introduction to the Life and Work of Robert Lenkiewicz
Francis Mallett at The Cornwall Hotel & Spa
Francis Mallett, long time friend of Robert Lenkiewicz and Chairman of the Lenkiewicz Foundation, gave a fascinating insight into the artist and the man.
Love or loathe his work, Robert Lenkiewicz is arguably one of the greatest artists of modern times. A man outside the mainstream, a radical free spirit who was advised to leave London in the 60’s when his Hampstead studio was overflowing with the vagrants and misfits who filled his paintings. Lenkiewicz’s affluent neighbours were aghast at the number of dirty and mentally ill people who were taking up residence – ironic that their wealthy counterparts happily pay thousands of pounds today for the privilege of owning portraits of these same ‘undesirables’.
Lenkiewicz moved to Plymouth where he quickly established himself on the Barbican; his studio became a sort of artistic drop-in centre for the city’s down and outs. A clever, hugely talented man, the artist fought constant battles with the City council, who didn’t appreciate him highlighting the city’s homeless problem in his exhibition ‘Vagrancy Project’.
Lenkiewicz himself was no stranger to hardship and worked for many years in stark poverty, often painting on scraps of cloth salvaged from bins, but the rich and highly prized legacy of work he left behind is testament to a man of great talent.
This superb talk by Francis Mallett will be followed on Thursday April 7th by a further talk on Lenkiewicz given by Anna Navas – a frequent sitter for the artist, Anna is a trustee of the Lenkiewicz Foundation and a publisher of limited edition prints for those of us who can’t afford the originals. Tickets for this event are free, but booking is strongly advised - call 01726 874050 of via the website www.thecornwall.com