Robert Lenkiewicz: Life and Works

Early Life and Background

• Date of Birth: December 31, 1941

• Place of Birth: London, England

• Family Background: Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz was born to Jewish refugees who had fled from Germany and Poland. His parents ran a hotel in Cricklewood, London, which doubled as a refuge for elderly Jewish immigrants.

Education and Early Career

• Education: Lenkiewicz attended St. Martin's School of Art and later the Royal Academy.

• Early Influences: His exposure to the elderly residents in his parents' hotel influenced his early interest in marginalized groups and themes of isolation.

Move to Plymouth

• Relocation: In the early 1960s, Lenkiewicz moved to Plymouth. This city became the central hub for his work and life.

• Studio: He set up his first studio on the Barbican waterfront in Plymouth, an area that would later house many of his major projects.

Artistic Themes and Projects

• Themes: Lenkiewicz’s work frequently dealt with themes such as vagrancy, mental illness, and social outcasts. His projects were often large-scale, multi-disciplinary, and deeply immersive.

• Notable Projects:

  • "Vagrancy" Project (1973): This was a significant turning point in his career, focusing on the lives of homeless people in Plymouth. He housed many vagrants in his studio, creating both artworks and detailed journals of their lives.

  • "Mental Handicap" (1976): Another socially charged project, exploring the lives and conditions of mentally handicapped individuals.

  • "The Painter with Women" (1994): This project examined the nature of romantic relationships and intimacy, featuring many of his partners as subjects.

Controversies and Public Perception

• Public Reception: Lenkiewicz’s work often provoked strong reactions. His decision to keep the embalmed body of his friend and vagrant, Diogenes (Edwin McKenzie), as part of a study on death and dying, drew significant public and media attention.

• Criticism and Support: While some saw him as a sensationalist, others praised his commitment to social issues and his technical skill as a painter.

Later Years and Legacy

• Death: Lenkiewicz died on August 5, 2002, from heart failure.

• Legacy: Despite being somewhat of an outsider in the mainstream art world, Lenkiewicz left behind a substantial body of work. His projects continue to be studied for their social commentary and artistic merit.

• Collections: His works are part of numerous private collections, and exhibitions of his work continue to draw interest.

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