A Reflection of a Master at Work
An incredible and rare self-portrait of the esteemed artist Robert O. Lenkiewicz (1941-2002) is being prepared for sale at Plymouth Auction Rooms.
The artist produced as many as 10,000 works in his lifetime and is well known for his projects which brought light to hidden or disenfranchised communities. Although Lenkiewicz was a native Londoner, his prolific career is intrinsically linked to the Southwest, as his time spent in Plymouth was perhaps his most artistically active. This sombre masterpiece was produced toward the end of the artist's life, as signified by his use of a 'grisaille' monochrome colour palette, shifting the colour of his iconic scarf from red to black.
Lenkiewicz has stated his belief that an artist is his own best model, and most interestingly compared his canvas to a mirror, a sentiment which has been echoed throughout his career as he was known to use the motif of reflections throughout his oeuvre. A red triangle is visible on the reverse of this painting which reveals much about the artist's process. He often used a code of symbols on the reverse of his canvases to indicate his feelings about his completed works and the studio in which they were painted. This piece was part of a private collection and the opportunity to purchase this deeply pensive and well-crafted artwork has become a reality as it will be included in the upcoming contemporary art sale at Plymouth Auction Rooms on the 6th of March where it carries an estimate at £20,000.
Do not miss the chance to purchase this physical embodiment of art history and appreciate the legacy of this contemporary art giant.
