There is a story I want to tell you… It was a chance meeting.
We were walking in London along with my family when my husband noticed a painting in the window of a gallery, he casually said: “Oh what a nice painting” and walked on. I stopped and looked and told him and the other family members to go on with out me.
I stepped inside. I stepped inside of a treasure box. I stepped as if I was Alice in Alice in Wonderland, but in this case it was Bahareh in reality land. I walked in and said hello and asked the nice gentleman behind the table, if these were his art works. He was sitting talking to a lady, I did not want to interrupt, but I wanted to learn more. And that is exactly what happened.
He, Lanre, got up and walked over to me and said yes, this is all my art, I have been painting for 30 years. It was an incredible experience as if a connection of brother and sister from another time, but same womb have come together. There was a gentle understanding that we saw each other.
Lanre started to tell me his story in detail. I will tell you that I was drawn in instantly to the story of a man who was originally from Nigeria born in UK and lived in Nigeria for many years, and then moved to London with his family at age 19. He was attending a great university, when he knew he really wanted to pursue art. As he states because of lack of understanding of his passion by his family, he was not supported and so was left without anything and ended up on the streets homeless and addicted to drugs and on the verge of giving up.
“A chance encounter with an Irish man, who had served 20 years in prison, gave Lanre a change in perspective. He encouraged Lanre to use his gift – his artistic talent, to help those who were in prison.” He was given a second chance as he says. He has helped over 5000 ex-offenders and inmates learn skills. He also works with victims of crime, with schools, colleges and businesses. The story and the lives he has touched in the past 30 years are truly amazing. Please look at his work, and his life and the beautiful steps he has taken to help thousands of people through the beautiful medium of heart, light and color.
His story was a touching one as there was both Light and Dark moments,but all in all the Light shined through Lanre’s words and his paintings that we were surrounded with while he told me his story. The lady a mentee of Lanre, that was sitting at the table when I walked in came over to us, and she said you know what, I had always seen despair in his these paintings, but now I begin to see the true light and hope.
Lanre walked over to the window of his gallery and brought the painting my husband had noticed and I had inquired about..
He turned it around and started writing on the back. This is what he wrote:
“My dearest sister,
Bahareh Amidi,
I am so blessed to have reconnected with you.
This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in my eyes.
Lots of love
Lanre
December 31st 2013
God bless”
He handed me the beautiful painting called “The Tree of Life”. Imagine this gift, does it not sound like “Alice in Wonderland” to you? I accepted humbly, and I knew I was touched by Light at that moment. There is always a reason for every meeting, every breath.
The painting hangs in our home, she gives grace and abundance and fills my heart and soul with the gift of Life and Light.
Words can not express gratitude, but words can express the feelings of this experience. Later that evening I wrote to Lanre:
Colors of Light
A deep breath in and I enter a prison cell
I was just walking around with my family
But the divine had other plans for me on this day last of year
The cell I walked into was made of color and Light
There I met a brother, one I knew from another time
He told me the story of how he has helped so many
in the cell
“The Cell Empty of Light”
I found myself intrigued…
I was taken to a place and time before
When I was walking on the street
When I met a man with color on his hands
but no home to sleep
A man of honor and dignity
This man I know
L ove
A ble
N oble
R ooted
E ternal
My brother who has found his wings in flight
My brother who gives others wings to fly
The dear artist who has roots deep into mother earth
The brother whose vision is bringing art to all
I am humbled by the connections of Light
Today I feel the blessing of the “Tree of Life” on my path
Today I have seen the “Walking To the Light”
I thank thee for this day
for this message for the messenger in disguise
I thank thee for the beauty for the creations and the creator
A breath out and I know that I have been shown Light
Happy New Year
Bahareh
Lanre and I have been in contact since that day. Only a few months have passed, but this story has touched so many lives and has had a ripple affect in my universe. I wanted to share this story with you, and to recall some of its hues and tones for myself. I know that we will host Lanre sometime in the future in Abu Dhabi. His art needs to find space in our homes and hearts and more so his story must inspire more of us to give of ourselves and touch others.
Lanre has expressed that when he comes here, that whatever he sells of his art 20percent of his sales will go to a cause here in our home of Abu Dhabi. I have started dreaming of the lives and hearts he will touch when he comes. The places we will visit, schools, universities, prisons, hospitals, labor camps and so much more. Don’t worry, I will take him to the Grand Mosque and all the sites, for his heart will glow with the beauties of what man has made out of desert land.
So to welcoming Lanre to Abu Dhabi when the time is right.
Truly and always
InLight
Bahareh
Learn more about Lanre on a Art Live interview Saved by Art
P.S. Incase you were wondering what my family was doing all that time, they were having tea, and when I came back with painting in hand my husband was stunned with its beauty but more so with the gesture, and he went back to meet Lanre and to thank him personally.
Lorelei Broxson says
This makes my heart full. What a beautiful story. What a beautiful man. What beautiful art. There’s no doubt that he was indeed supposed to meet and connect with another beautiful soul such as yours. Thank you for sharing your story. I am grateful.
Bahareh Amidi says
Dearest Lorelei,
You are most welcome. My heart and my home is full of art that touches, like the one you gifted me which I cherish. There are angels with no wings and trees of life which show us the beauties of life, if ever we are in doubt. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I am grateful indeed.
Lanre Olagoke says
My Dearest Sisters and Brothers, I am so grateful and honoured to be around to have met great minds, artist, people like yourself B and more to come. I truly count it all a blessing. Bahareh I am longing to come to Abu Dhabi one day soon, and indeed as God willing I shall visit all that I can as His Spirit leads me.
May The Good Lord continue to bless you all as you continue to serve honourably according to His perfect Will for your lifes.
God bless and one Love
Bro. Lanre
Bahareh Amidi says
Dear Friend, Brother and Travel Companion, Lanre,
Thank you for your words, thank you for sharing your spirit which is the spirit of LIGHT.
I am blessed to have met you on this journey.
Yes, indeed we are waiting for you here in the desert, when it is time.
Truly and always
Bahareh
Mohammed Partin says
Hi,
The Nice Bridge between a Poetess and a Painter and very sweet words here!
سلام خدا بر شما دختر پاک نهاد
در جهان دیوزده ی کنونی شما همانند سکوت نسیم هستید
ولی آهنگ شما برای ره پویان یگانگی واضح و آشناست
شعرهای پارسی شما رو گوش کردم و اون ها رو بسیار آشنا و خالص یافتم
به عنوان یک صورتگر خرسند شدم که شما اینقدر خوب با یک نقاش و آثارش ارتباط برقرار کرده اید
با بهترین آرزوها برای شما و خانواده ی شما
م.پارتین
Bahareh Amidi says
Ba Arz Salam Mohammed Khan aziz,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about the story of Art and Poetry.
Also, thank you so much for your words about my poetry, which in fact is the poetry of the universe, words just coming through me.
I receive your prayers and positive energy.
With deep gratitude
Truly
BaNoor
Bahareh
Please pardon my response in English, I have studied Farsi until 4th grade in Iran when I was younger, and to type this message in Farsi would take me about day: ) This is one thing I would like to work on. My efficiency in our beautiful Parsi Language. Thank you once again.