Tommy Vosper (2014)

Remarks submitted to EDUCATION25 marking the 25th anniversary of Robert Lenkiewicz’s 17th Project – Observations on Local Education.

Name: Tommy Vosper (Former pupil, Devonport High School for Boys)
Painting exhibited as number: 041

I encountered Robert on the Barbican at the age of 17 and after a brief dialogue, he asked me to pose for him on his Day of Judgement mural. I eventually posed for 3 portraits including Hanged. He initially booked me for 5 sittings but, I was in his studio for an entire year on a weekly basis.

What book or object are you holding in your Project 17 portrait and what was its personal significance?

Robert handed me a Union Flag and asked me to invent a pose. We agreed that the noose I tied was a powerful image and we went with that. Robert wanted to paint me in my school uniform. The personal significance is probably that I was very immature, psychologically, and needed to wait to gain some insight about myself.

To what extent did Lenkiewicz make his own views on education known to you prior to or during the sittings?

Ha! Robert was very open on his views on everything! He was subtle. He'd draw out my own views and then prompt his own alternatives. We apparently disagreed on a few points and often he'd take me out for lunch and we'd just talk. I don't recall him ever attacking my views.

What did you think of his views at the time? And now?

At the time, we'd debate and he'd alter the way he wanted to portray me accordingly. A couple of years after the project, I got into trouble and Robert helped me out financially. 25 years later, I went into HE at Art College and listed Robert as one of my major influences. Now, I don't care about his views... I care that his legacy is being ignored... Murals, etc.

Re-reading your original essay, have any of your views on education changed and if so, why?

I asked him to change the essay as soon as it was published... He offered me both books on the project and I refused because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep them. At this moment, I am about to become a teacher, but my views back then are not very much altered in the way that students should be treated. Robert was a fantastic teacher for me, in life and art.