London, UK – After facing eviction and living in poverty last year, the surrealist artist Henry Orlik has seen his paintings achieve values exceeding £2 million. This remarkable turnaround follows his rediscovery by the art world, which has brought his previously unseen works to prominence. As stated in a recent tweet by The New Yorker, "Last year, Henry Orlik was living in poverty after being evicted. Now his paintings are worth millions."
Orlik, now 78, had a notable but brief period of recognition in the 1970s, with his work exhibited alongside masters like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. However, disillusioned by the commercial art world and the practices of dealers, he became a recluse, continuing to paint prolifically but keeping his extensive body of work private for decades. He lived frugally, often supported by his mother, and accumulated hundreds of canvases.
The artist's challenging circumstances escalated in 2022 when he suffered a stroke, paralyzing his right side and rendering him unable to paint. During his hospitalization, he was evicted from his London apartment, and tragically, a significant portion of his life's work—estimated to be dozens to hundreds of paintings—went missing. This loss deeply affected Orlik, prompting investigations by police and local officials.
His rediscovery began when art dealer Grant Ford was contacted by a solicitor assisting Orlik, leading to the organization of two highly successful exhibitions. These shows quickly sold out, generating over £2 million in sales within the past year alone. Ford described Orlik's work as "extraordinary" and believes he should be considered "one of Britain's greats."
Orlik's unique style, characterized by thousands of tiny, spiraled brushstrokes, creates dream-like and emotionally evocative surrealist landscapes. The renewed interest in his art has led to a significant revaluation of his remaining works, with individual pieces fetching tens of thousands of pounds. In an effort to recover his lost masterpieces, Orlik has offered a £50,000 reward for information leading to their return, highlighting their immense value and his desire to reclaim his legacy.