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The Administrator

PRESS RELEASE – THE LENKIEWICZ FOUNDATION

‘THE TALKING WALL’ – PLANS FOR THE BARBICAN MURAL

The Lenkiewicz Foundation has announced that it is in discussion with the School of Art and Design at Loughborough University regarding the possibility of a digital reconstruction of Lenkiewicz’s famous mural on The Barbican.

Anna Navas, spokesperson for The Foundation, said: “The mural clearly has a special place in the city’s cultural history and has always been a landmark on The Barbican for Plymothians and visitors alike. While he was alive, Robert had looked at different options about repainting or replacing it but the technical issues were highly problematic. We were therefore delighted to be approached by Robert Brocklehurst of Loughborough University with an idea about using the latest digital technology to reconstruct the original. It would, however, depend upon being able to access high quality images of the mural in its original condition.”

Lecturer in the Performance and Multi-Media at Loughborough University, Robert Brocklehurst is no stranger to Lenkiewicz’s work. He first encountered the artist’s work over twenty years ago when one of Lenkiewicz’s exhibitions on ‘Sexual Behaviour’ had run into trouble with the local authorities. He says, “Recently I returned to Plymouth as a pilgrimage to visit his studio and view The Barbican Mural: ‘The Influence of Jewish Thought on Elizabethan Culture 1520–1620.’ This time I was truly shocked, for his studio was empty and the mural faded, battened and peeling in the sun. Fading with this work are possibly some of Lenkiewicz’s most important ideas on worlds past and present, on relationships between art, science, literature and religion in society. I wondered whether this seminal work was going to be saved? Contact with The Lenkiewicz Foundation revealed many ideas about doing so, including Lenkiewicz’s own, but highlighting real problems with any physical restoration. Complete removal appears necessary to stabilize the surface before any restoration could begin, not to mention the costs of constant upkeep once restored.”

“Therefore I proposed ‘The Talking Wall’”, Mr. Brocklehurst continued. “A digital alternative to any ‘actual’ restoration, a replica that would at the very least help preserve and regenerate the mural using current media technology. Adopting a collaborative, non-invasive approach, two artist residencies set up to photographically capture the whole in sections, initial documentation taking place at night in order to retain light, tone and colour continuity. Then drawing on studies and sketches from the Lenkiewicz archive the work would be reconstructed using specialist ‘paint and paste’ software. The project would then move into a manipulation phase where facial features within the mural would be animated, named actors employed to vocalize relevant texts from the Renaissance period. This work would draw on Lenkiewicz’ intentions for the mural utilizing texts from his extensive library archive. The final high-definition image becomes part of a 1:1 scale night screening event, an on-site computer programme activating ‘random’ conversations through hidden speakers within the wall. Both image and event would be portable enough to travel as part of any future touring exhibitions.”

Ms. Navas added, “These ideas are obviously at an early stage but they are totally dependent upon high-quality images of the mural in its heyday. We therefore appeal for anyone who may have something we may be able to use to contact us.”

In the meantime, The Foundation’s plans to open premises on The Barbican before Christmas have been stalled by yet another delay in the winding-up of the estate. Ms. Navas comments, “It is extremely frustrating, as we have been told by the Executor that the estate would be wound up this year but unfortunately it now looks like this will be delayed until in the New Year. We have a building ready with plans for an opening exhibition and have even shortlisted candidates for the post of gallery manager. The Foundation is anxious to get on with its mission of promoting Robert’s life, and needs to be allowed to go about its business as soon as possible. We are at least pleased that a feature on Robert filmed at the recent Plymouth City Museum exhibition will be broadcast on BBC2 in early December as part of Paul Martin’s ‘Flog It’ program, which will hopefully bring his work to a wider national  audience.”

17.11.2009

The Lenkiewicz Foundation:

www.lenkiewiczfoundation.org

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tel: 01752 221450

In the end, an imaginative and democratic solution was found. The excluded works will be displayed on free-standing panels with the other works for one day only during the exhibition to give visitors a chance to assess the material for themselves. But there will also be a chance for the general public to say whether they think the Museum or TLF had the right idea.

The event will start at 6.30pm with a Private View of the current exhibition plus the additional works. A Presentation will then take place from 7.45pm where representatives from Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery and The Lenkiewicz Foundation will explain their approach and put forward their points of view. A moderated open forum Discussion will then take place from 8.15pm, enabling members of the audience to also express their opinions. The event will finish at 9pm. (Tickets for the discussion must be booked in advance on 01752 304774. The viewing is open to all).

The Foundation is hoping to open its own public gallery later this year and is aware that some of the work within the legacy may fall outside of general tastes. TLF therefore sees the open forum as a valuable learning experience and a chance to hear from a fairly representative audience of gallery-goers what their views are.
“Robert’s natural audience was the ordinary person in the street, but so was his subject matter,” says TLF. “He never presumed to pre-judge what they might or might not find acceptable — he just assumed that since his work was about the feelings and emotions that we all experience, that they would be genuinely interested in seeing themselves reflected in the work.”

In fact, only one of the artist’s many Projects exhibited at his studios on The Barbican was deemed beyond the pale — that on the theme of Sexual Behaviour in 1983. The City Council and the Police asked him to display a warning sign outside his exhibition rooms. Robert reluctantly agreed rather than see the show closed down entirely. The sign read ‘The Local Authority regard this project as unsuitable for those under eighteen; this is not the painter’s opinion.’ The Foundation added, “It’s a formula that worked for the artist for more than 30 years. Why would we change it?”

For enquiries or to request illustrations please call Francis Mallett on 01752 221450 or e-mail
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Note added 2 June 2009: Please note that 2/3 of the available places have already been booked.

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The Lenkiewicz Foundation extends a special welcome to users of lenkiewicz.org

This year will be a turning point in the history of The Lenkiewicz Foundation. The legacy of work by Robert Lenkiewicz is passing from the artist’s Estate to the charity (most of which can be seen at Plymouth City Museum until 11 July) and the Estate will be wound up, leaving TLF in control of its own affairs at long last. The charity is hoping to open its own exhibition rooms in Plymouth later in the year and to set up an educational archive based on the life and work of the painter.

TLF are also reaching out to enthusiasts for Robert’s work in an effort to ensure that the charity is responsive to the wishes of its core audience. The re-launched ‘Friends of The Lenkiewicz Foundation’ aims to provide a forum for those interested in Lenkiewicz’s legacy, where like-minded people can meet for informal discussion or enjoy programmed educational events that will hopefully deepen everyone’s appreciation of the artist.

In the spirit of this democratic engagement with its audience, the Friends will enjoy constitutional rights, including the right to send a representative to the Annual General Meetings of the charity, where they can participate in the election of trustees, etc. The charity has also signalled its intention to draw on the expertise and commitment of its supporters by inviting nominations for trustees from any interested quarter.

On Saturday 16 May, the Friends and absolutely anyone with an interest in things Lenkiewicz will be welcomed at Delamore House, near Cornwood, for an informal  gathering to chat about the future of the legacy, or just to enjoy the idyllic surroundings or the wine and food provided by event sponsor Edmond Davari (proprietor of Zucca! and Souk).  The splendid house, built in 1859, hosts a permanent art exhibition and the picturesque grounds include a sculpture park.

Admission for Friends who have paid their subscription is FREE, but anyone wishing to come along can pay a £5 entrance fee, which is refundable if they later decide to become a member. To reserve your place or to find out more, just e-mail TLF at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Please note that you must inform TLF in advance if you are going so that sufficient wine & food can be laid on!).

In this decisive year, when many aspects of the future of The Lenkiewicz Foundation are still to be decided, you can be part of that decision making process. So whether you’re interested in the grand strategy or just want to get the latest gossip, please see the show at Plymouth City Museum and come to Delamore House — from here on, the future of the legacy is what we, and you, make of it.

The Lenkiewicz Foundation

Museum exhibition to showcase the legacy of Lenkiewicz

A new exhibition of works by Robert Lenkiewicz, which opens at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday 8 April, will present the first ever showing of the legacy of artistic works that the artist bequeathed to the Lenkiewicz Foundation upon his death in 2002.

‘Lenkiewicz: The Legacy’ will be on display at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery from 8 April to 11 July. The exhibition will be open from 10am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Admission is free. For enquiries and further information visit www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk, call 01752 304774 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

UPDATE 18 APRIL: TLF has made a press release on the censoring of the exhibition. The press release is published in full in the News section of this site.

Rather than seeing these sites shut down, I took the difficult decision to act to preserve them. Not as active sites at present, but as 'frozen' sites. They are veritable gold mines for all of us who have an interest in the life and work of Robert Lenkiewicz.

There is no way I can replace Dave, and there is no way I can maintain the sites as active fora. For the time being, they should be regarded as encyclopedic but inactive resources. Some will support my decision, and others will criticize it, but I felt that a shut-down would have been the worst scenario. My hope is that the new site of TLF will fill some of the void created. In time, the need for an interactive site may lead to the reopening of .org and LBP or to the creation of similar sites. I will certainly discuss that issue with all parties that may have an interest in the matter.

Meanwhile, please go and see the Self Portrait exhibition, it's fantastic. If you can't go, the book is an excellent substitute. Take care.

Postscript 3 October 2008: To those who wonder what will happen next, I can only say that I will do my best to revive LBP and .org with as many original functions as possible. There will inevitably be changes, and the transformation will take some time. The timing of this event was not ideal, since I'm going abroad for ten days tomorrow. Work on the sites will start on my return.

If you have by now digested the Self Portraits, why not go and see the seven Lenkiewics lots at Sotheby's in the sale of 8 October? 

The situation 6 November 2008: After several people have spent a stunning amount of time trying to get the sites up and working, it turns out that the new host One.com is incapable of hosting the sites (way too many complications to be enumerated here), and we will have to find another host. Once again the sites will be closed, hopefully for only a short time. Patience is a virtue, especially when there's no option.

10 January 2009: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the transfer of the domains back to the original host had to be postponed. It will now (hopefully!) be completed by the end of January. After that, the sites should be back with most or all functions intact. I am as anxious as you to see this done.

It is with some regret that I announce that both lenkiewicz.org and The Lenkiewicz Book Project will be closing on 30 September 2008.

This decision has not been taken lightly. There is no one specific reason or event that has precipitated the decision (although the launch of TLF's new web site has made it easier). It is simply that I have grown increasingly tired of the constant bickering, personal agendas, vendettas and axe-grinding that have been an ever-present feature of lenkiewicz.org (and my inbox) over the past 5 years. Life is simply too short for me to choose to bring all this crap into mine.

I should stress that there are other reasons too, but it is the one above that makes the case for the others that much more compelling.

Anybody wishing to archive the textual content of the Lenkiewicz Book Project can do so by going to www.robertlenkiewicz.org/book/export/html/131 and saving the page to their PC.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have contributed to the sites in the past, and those who have supported me in my efforts.

If there is anybody who would like to purchase either of the domain names or lenkiewicz.org as an active site, please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .