Surrealist artist Henry Orlik feels 'violated' over missing works

Henry Orlik, a 78-year-old surrealist artist, expressed feelings of violation after dozens of his artworks went missing during his eviction from social housing in London while he was hospitalized for a stroke. Now living back in Swindon, he has cataloged some of his works, generating over £2 million in sales from recent exhibitions. Orlik remarked that the loss of these pieces, which he dedicated years to creating, has left him feeling physically ill. He has offered a £50,000 reward to locate the missing artworks, which are believed to exceed the initial estimate of 78 pieces. Art dealer Grant Ford highlighted the significance of the missing works, calling them iconic, including a notable piece featuring Marilyn Monroe.

Despite his recent success, including a solo exhibition at a publicly funded gallery, Orlik prioritizes the recovery of his lost paintings. He described the emotional weight of his work, stating that each piece holds personal meaning. As he navigates this challenging period, the artist welcomes the renewed appreciation for his art but remains focused on retrieving what was lost.