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Reclusive Wiltshire artist gets own New York show

Sophie Parker
BBC News, Wiltshire
Surrealist Henry Orlik painting of two skyscrapers, looking a little like they starting to melt
Winsor Birch A white wall with large surrealist paintings by Henry Orlik hanging up. Winsor Birch
Fighting Skyscrapers is one of the paintings in the exhibition in New York
One of the paintings sold before the exhibition even started

A reclusive artist from Swindon whose work made more than £1.6m after just two UK shows last year now has his own exhibition in New York.

Henry Orlik, 78, is in poor health and can no longer paint, but has been described as a "great" since his pictures were rediscovered.

Art dealer and expert Grant Ford has shipped huge canvases of Orlik's surrealist work - painted in New York in the 1980s - to the Kate Oh gallery in the city.

One of the paintings sold for $185,000 before the show even opened.

Winsor Birch People unload a large wrapped Henry Orlik canvas from the back of a lorry in New YorkWinsor Birch
Arrangements for the New York exhibition included getting a permit

"It's rather exciting. It's a completely designated show for Henry," said Mr Ford.

He said surrealism is popular in the art world at the moment, especially with last year marking 100 years of the movement.

"In general, everyone is really excited by Henry Orlik. 'Fighting skyscrapers' we see as an iconic work by him. It kind of almost anticipates the twin towers."

Winsor Birch Grant Ford smiles looking into the camera while standing next to a large surrealist painting, featuring towers and an eyeWinsor Birch
Art dealer Grant Ford - an Antiques Roadshow expert too - said Eye on New York is reminiscent of the eye of Sauron

"Some of these pictures are just mesmerising. There's one called the Eye on New York - it's like Sauron looking down on New York," added Mr Ford.

He explained that Orlik spent time in New York in the 1970s and 80s, first being invited to California by the wife of famous actor James Coburn before later going to New York, where he painted for several years.

While he did once have work exhibited beside Salvador Dali, he then became reclusive, living alone in a small flat with stacks of his pictures.

Henry Orlik An old and slightly grainy photo of Henry Orlik standing in front of a series of canvases, a couple of which are portraits of Marilyn Monroe in a brightly coloured style.Henry Orlik
Henry Orlik became reclusive for decades - people rarely saw his work

Mr Ford has been going through Orlik's remaining work, even finding the original 1980s shipping receipts.

He said the artist can no longer use his painting hand.

"There's only a finite selection of pictures left now. As they go, they disappear. There won't be any more."

Mr Ford, who runs The Little Gallery in Marlborough, said setting up an exhibition in New York has its challenges, including getting a permit, high rent on the gallery space and expensive shipping.

"The team have been working like absolute troopers to put it together," he added.

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