An Appreciation of Robert Lenkiewicz, part 4

Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz
Born London December 13 1941
Died Plymouth August 5, 2002

Robert Lenkiewicz, painter, sociological observer and controversial genius rarely induced indifference during his lifetime. Whatever reaction Robert's work, lifestyle or demeanor produced, a mere shrug of the shoulders was indeed a rare occurrence.
The provocation of thought, a catalyst to plumb the depths of the public's belief or opinion, these should be goals for any artist. The conclusion reached by an individual irrelevant. Lenkiewicz succeeded with verve, intellect and sheer talent.

Robert Lenkiewicz's legacy will now grow even greater in stature, and be nurtured by Fisher-Makenzie, the company created by Lenkiewicz, Esther Dalloway and Anna Navas to handle the publishing and preservation of the Lenkiewicz legacy. One can only hope that Fisher-Makenzie are given all means of assistance by arts councils, city councils and maybe even those who were somewhat myopic about the talent in their midst. Perhaps if Robert had had one wish it would would have been more time to complete the various projects he was working on. Robert was a complex man, touched by an enquiring, questing and intrigued genius.



	There is something of Robert Lenkiewicz that fits perfectly here. If you close your eyes you can nearly smell the Napoleonic sailors. In fact Napoleon himself was brought here after Waterloo and paraded on the decks of H.M.S Bellerpheron in front of thousands of fearful, fainting, captivated and titillated Plymothians.
			All desperate for a glimpse of the frog folk devil Bonaparte. The very personification of badness and un-Englishness. All parallels that can be drawn today, not using the traditional sociological folk devil, but transferring them to the modern day equivalent of the court painter. A role that Lenkiewicz has flirted with under the patronage of the Earl of St.Germans. The Glue Sniffer Oil on canvas. Private collection.
	Today we need our painters, our artists and musicians to live our lives on the edge for us. It is much too dangerous for ourselves. We need our modern day folk devils to be bad, to be good, to dip their finger in forbidden caskets and not get burnt, but emerge stranger, with more scales to their rebel armadillo armour. At least to give the impression that some wondrous experience and knowledge is theirs forever.
	'Self portrait with self portrait at 90' Emulsion on canvas. Private collection. Anyone can visit Robert in his studio–who can act with respect. This is almost as good as watching the boy Mozart dazzle in some Viennese Seraglio, Michelangelo rub his aching back or watching the Rolling Stones in a hot club in 1963. The Zeitgeist, the real deal, choice phrases to convey the bystanders utter amazement in witnessing something extraordinarily good. This is not a sheep in formaldehyde. Lenkiewicz will not be receiving any Turner Prize. Catch him if you can.


	Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz Born London December 13 1941 Died Plymouth August 5, 2002 Robert Lenkiewicz, painter, sociological observer and controversial genius rarely induced indifference during his lifetime. Whatever reaction Robert's work, lifestyle or demeanor produced, a mere shrug of the shoulders was indeed a rare occurrence. The provocation of thought, a catalyst to plumb the depths of the public's belief or opinion, these should be goals for any artist. The conclusion reached by an individual irrelevant. Lenkiewicz succeeded with verve, intellect and sheer talent. Robert Lenkiewicz's legacy will now grow even greater in stature, and be nurtured by Fisher-Makenzie, the company created by Lenkiewicz, Esther Dalloway and Anna Navas to handle the publishing and preservation of the Lenkiewicz legacy. One can only hope that Fisher-Makenzie are given all means of assistance by arts councils, city councils and maybe even those who were somewhat myopic about the talent in their midst. Perhaps if Robert had had one wish it would would have been more time to complete the various projects he was working on. Robert was a complex man, touched by an enquiring, questing and intrigued genius. © 2002 Andrew Griffin