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Lenkiewicz Arts And Jewellery
Diogenes Reads About Himself In The Sun Paper By Robert Lenkiewicz
Diogenes Reads About Himself In The Sun Paper By Robert Lenkiewicz
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The Legacy The Artist and the Vagrant
Diogenes Read About Himself In The Sun Paper The "Diogenes Reads About Himself In The Sun Paper" features artwork by Lenkiewicz, providing a contemporary interpretation of Diogenes' philosophy.
This paper serves as a visual exploration of self-awareness and existential inquiry, appealing to those interested in the intersection of art and philosophy.
The relationship between the artist Robert Lenkiewicz (1941–2002) and "Diogenes" is a well-documented, often macabre, episode in British art history, blending themes of social observation, art, and the,Memento Mori philosophy
Who was Diogenes?
Identity: Diogenes was the nickname given by Lenkiewicz to Edwin Mackenzie(1912–1984), a vagrant living in a concrete barrel on a rubbish tip in Plymouth, England.
Life with Lenkiewicz: Mackenzie worked for fifteen years as a model and assistant to Lenkiewicz at his Barbican studio in Plymouth, becoming a "permanent fixture" who often sat outside collecting entrance fees for the artist’s "projects".
The Nickname: Lenkiewicz named him after the ancient Greek cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who famously lived in a barrel.
The Embalming and "Vacated Premises
The Pact: Upon his death in 1984, it was revealed that Lenkiewicz had made an agreement with Mackenzie to have his body embalmed, rather than buried, as part of a philosophical study on death (a "memento mori").
Discovery: Following his death, the embalmed body was kept in a concealed drawer in Lenkiewicz's library, which he referred to as his "death room".
Investigation: In 2002, following the death of Lenkiewicz himself, the police and coroner discovered the body. After an inquest, it was found to have been professionally preserved.
Legacy and Art
Paintings: Diogenes appears in numerous works by Lenkiewicz, including "Diogenes and Black Pipe," "Diogenes at Night in Studio Window," and the "Barbican Mural".
The Exhibition: The Lenkiewicz Foundation held a "Diogenes Show" in 2016 to mark the 40th anniversary of their collaboration.
Burial: After being kept for nearly twenty years, the Lenkiewicz Foundation decided to have the remains of Edwin Mackenzie laid to rest in 2022, citing increasing costs and ethical considerations, bringing an end to the long-term display of his body.
Portrayal in Art: Lenkiewicz often portrayed Diogenes as a "scrawny, miniature Father Christmas," a character central to his studies of "the business of living".
