Robert Lenkiewicz: The Artist Who Painted the People Others Overlooked
Some artists paint beautiful landscapes.
Some paint celebrities.
And then there was Robert Lenkiewicz.
Controversial, charismatic, unconventional and endlessly fascinating, Lenkiewicz was an artist who was far more interested in people and their stories than in fitting neatly into the traditional art world.
At Curated Treasures, we're particularly drawn to artists who have a story behind the artwork—and Lenkiewicz certainly doesn't disappoint.
We have recently acquired a collection of signed limited edition Robert Lenkiewicz prints, and we couldn't wait to share them with you.
Who was Robert Lenkiewicz?
Robert Lenkiewicz (1941–2002) was a British painter who became particularly associated with Plymouth, where he spent much of his life.
But describing him simply as a painter doesn't really do him justice.
Lenkiewicz developed a unique approach to art based around what he called "Projects"—large-scale bodies of work combining paintings, research and observations about particular aspects of human life.
His subjects weren't always comfortable ones.
He explored homelessness, old age, mental illness, death, addiction, relationships, jealousy and obsession. His intention was often to bring attention to people and subjects that society preferred not to see.
He referred to these people as "the invisible people."
An artist fascinated by people
For Lenkiewicz, painting wasn't simply about creating something beautiful.
He wanted to understand his subjects.
His portraits often feel remarkably intimate because of the amount of time he spent observing and painting people directly from life. His work sought to capture something of the person behind the portrait—their personality, circumstances and humanity.
That is perhaps one of the reasons his artwork continues to fascinate collectors.
You don't simply look at a Lenkiewicz painting. You find yourself looking at the person.
He certainly wasn't conventional!
Lenkiewicz was never particularly interested in doing things the conventional way.
His life contained stories that sound almost too strange to be true—including his infamous decision to fake his own death.
His unconventional approach extended into his artwork and his huge artistic projects, which often challenged social conventions and encouraged people to think differently about subjects they might otherwise avoid.
Lenkiewicz and Birmingham
There's also a lovely connection to our part of the world.
In 1994, Lenkiewicz presented his The Painter with Women: Observations on the theme of the Double exhibition at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.
More than 35,000 people visited the exhibition in just one week—a remarkable response that demonstrated just how strongly his work connected with the public.
Why are Lenkiewicz prints so interesting to collectors?
Original Lenkiewicz paintings can be highly sought after, but signed limited edition prints offer collectors another opportunity to own and enjoy his work.
A limited edition means only a defined number of prints were produced, with each numbered individually. When the print is also signed by the artist, it adds another important element for collectors.
And perhaps most importantly, you get to live with a piece of Lenkiewicz's extraordinary artistic world.
Art with a story
This is exactly the type of artwork we love at Curated Treasures.
We're not interested in artwork simply because it looks good above a sofa.
We love pieces that make you stop.
Pieces that make you ask questions.
Pieces that have a story behind them.
We've recently added a collection of signed limited edition Robert Lenkiewicz prints to Curated Treasures, and we'd love you to take a look.
Explore our Robert Lenkiewicz artwork
Because the best artwork isn't just something you hang on a wall.
It's something you can tell a story about.