Torre Abbey 2011

TORRE ABBEY
'Death and The Maiden'
15 July — 2 Oct 2011
NOW CLOSED

An exhibition of original works and Project notebook facsimiles at Torquay's oldest building, which underwent a £6.5 million restoration as a heritage centre in 2005.

Visitors Book - PDF (0.8MB)

Death and The Maiden will focus on works from the painter’s 1974 ‘Project’ exploring the traditional ‘Death and The Maiden’ theme. This theme counterpoints death and decay with the potential for new life usually represented by the nubile female figure. Numerous paintings and drawings will be shown which have not been exhibited in the years since Lenkiewicz’s death.

Death and The Maiden was first exhibited in 1974 at Lenkiewicz’s new Clifton Street studio, The Fool. Much of the exhibition comprised framed works on paper which were later bound, together with the painter’s original research notes, into a large folio. The folio contains more than 70 watercolours and drawings and modern facsimile techniques now make it possible to exhibit the contents of the Project notebook much as they would have looked when originally shown.

The exhibition will also include oil paintings and original works on paper from the Project as well as the major works from the Foundation’s permanent collection, including the newly restored iconic painting Belle and Diogenes at Prayer with Chairs (above).

A programme of events accompanies the show. These include a talk by Francis Mallett entitled Lenkiewicz; His Life, Work & Ideas on Wed 27 July 7.30 pm - 8.30 pm and a painting demonstration by Louise Courtnell, one of Lenkiewicz’s most successful students, on Sun 31 July 11.00 am - 1.00 pm who will show how tone underpins all Lenkiewicz’s work.

Torre Abbey will also be running two of its own Life Drawing Classes with their in-house artist Dee Martin.

Details of the schedule of educational events surrounding the exhibition – including gallery talks, lectures and discussions – are available here.

For more information visit: www.torre-abbey.org.uk. For further information about admission prices click here.

Publishing news

TLF is delighted to announce that it has signed a 3-year contract to reproduce works by Robert Lenkiewicz as limited editions. The new imprint – The Lenkiewicz Archive – will be distributed nationally through DeMontfort Fine Art and their affiliated Whitewall Galleries in major cities and towns throughout the country. Representing the work in Plymouth is The Somerville Gallery in Mayflower Street, recent co-sponsor of the RWA exhibition.

The first series of prints consists of ten works from Project 18 – The Painter with Women: Observations on the Theme of the Double. Two framed editions are available, 150 on paper and 49 paper laid on board. The prints carry the artist's embossed signature and are certified by The Lenkiewicz Archive. Editions from further Projects are planned.

A new publication from White Lane Press supports the series of prints: 'The Painter with Women' – the evolution of a Project (ISBN 978-09568488-1-9) priced £30.00.

Unbound folios

Much of the legacy which formed Robert Lenkiewicz's bequest to the Foundation consists of works on paper and the vast majority of these are bound into diaries, relationship journals and Project notebooks. Public display of these works is difficult due both to the format and the sensitivity of some of the material they contain. To overcome these limitations, The Lenkiewicz Archive has adopted an innovative publishing format – limited edition unbound folios. Full details of the first in a planned series of 12 volumes – 'The Eliza Notebook 1978–79' can be seen in this PDF.

Exclusive offer for Friends of TLF
Friends Proofs

The unbound folios exist in two editions – one edition of 150 copies which is being distributed nationally through Whitewall Galleries and an exclusive Friends Proof edition of just 49 proof copies.

The Friends Proofs are only available direct from The Lenkiewicz Archive priced at £350, a £100 saving on the recommended retail price of the national edition. To qualify for this offer you must have a valid paid-for personal subscription (single, dual or family) to The Friends of The Lenkiewicz Foundation. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to those with long-standing membership. Membership forms are available for download here. Call 01752 221450 for more information.