Personal Memoirs
My memories of Robert are many and varied. I felt a great respect for him whilst he was alive and since his passing I have felt the lose of a great friend. Robert always found time for me. Often I would be surprised by the amount of time he would put aside for our conversations. He would tell me stories of the various writers of the manuscripts in his collections or the leading theologians that I found compelling to listen too. I would ask Robert many questions and he was always ready to answer. Robert allowed me to take photos in his studio and took me to see St Saviours when he had placed some of his library there. One of my foundest memories was whilst in the Barbican studio. Patti had just come in to remind Robert that he had a meeting booked in 20 minutes. Robert had just shown me a rare work from Ethopia and then started to tell me about a book I might be interested in. His ability to create a drama and act out the part of a person was great for me. As his stature was made larger by the fact he had climbed up several rungs of a ladder in his library. Whilst at the same time reading from a small book called nine and a half mystics. After his dramatic enactment of one of the mystics in the book we both laughted and then Robert took me around to Joes for a cup of tea and some sandwhiches.
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
Dear sir ,
I am so pleased and have to say also very envious that you where able to acquire a piece of lenkiewicz s work but also a piece wit the subject Diogenes ,
Ilived in Plymouth for 3 years from 1980 -1983 , during my stay i was to spend time in the company of a man known locally as paddy aka Edward Mckenzie aka Diogenes , what a remarkable man ? he could be a cantankerous old man but he developed a real soft spot for my partner and i and he would sit chatting to us both over a cup of tea in a club for the not so fortunate known as the monday club in lockyer street , i believe it is now the registry office ,
i last visited plymouth 12 years ago and headed straight to lenkiewicz studio but it was shut , but on display was a painting of paddy or DIOGENES in the window so i managed to snap a few photos of it ,
my wish is to hopefully get a print of that picture , i would also like to be able to pay my respects at his resting place , and also for my grandchildren to know of diogenes , i may also take my story to the foundation if it may be helpful ? i was treated in a clinic for my alcohol problem in 1993 and i mention diogenes in my life story that i still have today , enjoy diogenes he was a remarkable man ,
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.
Robert desire to possess
One story which perhaps illustrates clearly Roberts desire to possess a book. I used to buy for Robert through Dominic Winters Book Auction rooms, there was a particularly fine copy of a 18th German Bible that Robert desired, he never ever indicated how much he was prepared to go to acquire a book, that was always left to me, the important thing was to capture the book, on this occasion, the Bible alluded me, being sold to a German collector. Nevertheless I had successfully purchased several important antiquarian titles for his library and was generally satisfied with the day. On returning with my haul to Robert, he soon asked where was the Bible, I explained for perhaps the fiftieth time, at auction there are no certainties and I was outbid. His responce was vigorous disappointment, Raymond you have no idea what I am trying to achieve here, when I say I want a book, price is irrelevant; consequently I searched the computor booksellers and discovered the same edition, perhaps with a better more original binding for less money than I had bid at the auction, I informed Robert of my discovery thinking he would ask me to purchase it, his reply, no Raymond I don't want that bible I wanted the one at auction. I viewed both bibles they were more or less indentical with nothing added to make the auction bible more desirable. I read that people seem to think the library was an important asset to his art, this is a grave error, the library was the most important element that was Roberts life's work of art, his life style, the perception of him by other people as a scholar, artist was other important elements.