PROJECT 15: DEATH.

DEATH BED.
84 x 75 inches. Emulsion on canvas.
PROJECT: DEATH.
Private Collection.

On Thursday February 11th 1982, an article by Lenkiewicz titled 'The Changing Pattern of Dying' was published in The Western Evening Herald. It was a survey of Western attitudes towards dying from the 12th Century to the present. The observations were, to a large degree, based on ideas presented by Professor Edwin Shneidman and Dr. Phillipe Aries. The article concluded with a request that any dying reader might offer themselves as a sitter for Project 15. A number of for and against' letters were published in the following days, in the same newspaper, giving some indication of the climate of views on this subject. Individuals who were dying did agree to sit for Lenkiewicz with startling and varied attitudes. Parallel with these works were paintings of Doctors and Surgeons; "I tend to deal with survival rather than death; but I daresay I've killed a few in my time ... regrettable." "Doctor, doctor must I die? Yes my dear and so must 1. " A number of Clergy, Priests, Bishops; "You would embarrass me greatly if you pursued this matter " (Clergyman's response to request for displaying painting in Project 15.)
Funeral and Burial representatives. Above all, however, the individual sitters who were dying; " I don't know, tell me dear, is it three or four months that I have to live?", "I'm not sure dear, I think it's three. " (Husband and wife in conversation.)
Their unsentimental acceptance of what had inevitably arrived became the basis for fascinating and humane conversation.

Lenkiewicz noted:

"One may anticipate, but never fully experience death; it is in the nature of this anxiety that it can never be stimulated by a 'fully rounded' danger, as it is unlikely that there will be opportunity for 'post- reflection'. "

Throughout this project Lenkiewicz had done a great deal of reading on this theme and was frequently reminded of Walter Kaufmann's thesis that:

"Freedom from fear is a pipe dream as long as one fears death. "