Personal Memoirs
This section of the Lenkiewicz Book Project is for people to share their personal recollections, experiences, anecdotes, and the like.
Unlike the rest of this site, here you are actively encouraged to share your personal (subjective) thoughts and experiences. This will all help to create a more complete and compelling portrait of Robert Lenkiewicz.
For example, if you were one of Lenkiewicz's students, what was it like? What were Lenkiewicz's teaching techniques? What lessons or tasks were you given?
If you sat for Lenkiewicz, what was the experience like? How did you feel about the experience? What insights did you gain?
Perhaps you bought paintings from Lenkiewicz, or commissioned work. What are your memories?
Or, perhaps you simply shared a few words with Lenkiewicz whilst visitng his studio. What are your memories?
Important note: none of the contributions posted to this area of the site can be edited by other users. The original author will have the ability to edit or delete their articles.
Re: Personal Memoirs
i have worked on private yachts for 20 years and over that time worked with many people from Plymouth all would mention this mystic artist with great affection.
i became so interested in this man that i travelled down to Plymouth to see his work to me he was everything a artist should be controverscial an academic and great artist.
on my trip i was fortunate to meet Robert a brief chat and handshake which only added to my admiration i did not find anything to buy on that trip the girls he was painting at the time really did not and still don't do a lot for me.
years latter whist reading the times i was shocked to see he had died and also a half page obituary not realizing how well known he was outside of Plymouth.
whilst in new york last year and surfing the net i found the painting of Diogenes for sale in the UK i am now proud owner of a lenkiewicz.
i have worked with a lot of art dealers from the states who deal in paintings in the millions but i always show them the book of lenkiwcz and they always have that genuine interest.
i hope that lenkiewicz becomes one of the greats not just for me but for the wonderful and friendly people of Plymouth.
Re: Personal Memoirs
I remember seeing Robert Lenkiewicz for the first time at a funeral held for a reporter on the Western Morning News and was impressed by his stature and charisma.
We visited his Studio a few times and on one occasion asked if any paintings were for sale, his assistant said that they were and we went to visit his little studio situated in the basement of a terraced house where he was actually painting at the time. He was so gentle and kind to us, we were very lucky to be able to purchase a painting from him and within a year of our purchase he had died.
He was a true Artist in every way from his lifestyle to his unique talent and we are so pleased that we were able to meet him.
I am sure he will become one of the 'greats'.
Re: Personal Memoirs
Dear Norma
What an amazing coincidence! Yesterday I was lucky enough to buy a large black enamel paintbox with contents at the Lenkiewicz auction in Exeter. There were a number of tubes of paints, a sweet rapper, paint brushes, two tablets in a plastic bag with "Thursday pm" written on it and a newspaper cutting and picture of Robert Lenkiewvicz and his model Anna attending the funeral of James Mildren, a popular journalist with the Plymouth Evening Herald. I am fortunate to have three of his limited edition prints and was hoping to buy an original at the auction. However the prices far exceeded what I could afford. I am thrilled with the paintbox and wonder if you could tell me which year you witnessed this funeral taking place so as I can establish the age of the contents of the box.
Regards.
Kevin
Re: Personal Memoirs
Dear Kevin
Sorry I haven't replied before but I am thrilled that you were able to buy something so personal at the recent sales.
To answer your question about the Funeral I attended it must have been in 1998 so I hope that helps you.
Enjoy your purchase and never give up that you won't be able to buy an original!!
Regards
Norma
Re: Personal Memoirs
I had limited contact with Robert in the 1970's, but that contact was not volitional but rather enforced for at that time I was a Probation Officer working in Plymouth. As far as I can recall Robert stole a valuable book from the library on the subject of necromancy and was made subject to a period of probation.
Even if I could remember some of the intimacies he shared with me it would be imprudent to divulge them, but he was an extremely erudite man with a consuming interest in the bizarre. At that time his studio was in the Barbican and since we had three young children I asked him if he would do a pencil sketch of them. He readily agreed, which is more than can be said for our children, but they were at ease in his company despite his unusual appearance and he established an easy rapport with them. In no time at all after some deft strokes with his pencil he captured the essence of our children and the result of his skill is now hung on our dining room wall.
Re: Personal Memoirs
Hi, I first met Robert in the Sotherby Bookroom, he approached me after I had purchased a early edition of a Ptomely atlas. He, of course, wanted to purchase it, he took my details and some weeks later phoned asking if I could bring the atlas down to Plymouth for him, which I did. Nevertheless; he was not in a position to purchase the book; however, it did lead to a wonderful experience in my life, and in many respects a unique. For Robert was a throw back to perhaps the 17th /18th century bookcollectors his main motivation in life was to create a collection around human behaviour philosophy etc, of course his collection become much more than that, perhaps his library become to electic; but what it did was to give me the privilage to work with someone was both inspirational and a fine friend; it was an experience which made my life the richer.
The Artist.
Red flag halter, grey locks flower over black robes.
He spoke with a dignified hushed air.
Romantic thoughts abound amongst his clientele.
Sexual proclivities caused secret passional:
Tragic faults deprived him of fame or place.
Fate inflicted bibliomania, to subordinate his art
Painted canvas, consumed by voices from the past.
Self-portraits were the key, to an electic library
To seek human comprehension, in all its replication.
Tomes of great splendour, graced those ordered shelves,
If only books surrendered to this artisan rebel
He may have seen more fame, before his sad farewell.
His single blinkered attitude, to volumes of the mind
Prevented important visions, being born before their time.
Ray Savill.