By Taghreed saadeh
Loving art means a lot, and collecting paintings and sculptures by artists you admire adds a special sense to your home. But transforming your own house into a gallery showcasing the works of an artist you value and as a tribute to a long-lasting friendship adds another dimension of feeling, taste, and humanity.
In the home of Nimer Fayad, located in one of the upscale neighborhoods in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, spanning 2,500 square meters, visitors can see art pieces and drawings with a unique character, all created by the renowned Canadian sculptor and artist Roy Ledbetter.
Fayad shared a strong friendship with Ledbetter for many years, spanning 12 years.
Fayad told Zaytoun News: “When I first met Ledbetter, he lived nearby. I became familiar with his work and bought some pieces, and then a friendship developed. It became a routine for us to have coffee together and spend a lot of time talking.”
Fayad added, “I loved his philosophy toward life and his perspective on everything. My life before meeting him was one thing; after him, it became something else entirely.”
Now in his mid-fifties, Fayad recalls that his life before meeting Ledbetter could be described as bohemian. “I was wandering through life without a clear purpose. I worked in education for ten years, then left and moved into the automotive sector.”
He continues, “Ledbetter’s presence in my life changed a lot of how I see the world. I started caring about my appearance like he did, adopting his philosophy, and enjoying social life.”
Talking about the famous sculptor, Fayad said: “He had impeccable taste in clothing and loved to be surrounded by friends. Wherever we went, people naturally gathered around us, and engaging, long conversations would unfold.”
He added, “The most remarkable quality Ledbetter had was unconditional love, a lack of hatred, and a spirit of generosity.”
Fayad, a passionate runner who trains daily, moved into his new residence two years ago and placed all the Ledbetter works he had collected there. The house features a large reception area where paintings and sculptures are displayed in a highly artistic manner.
About Roy Ledbetter
Roy Ledbetter, the renowned Canadian sculptor and painter, was born in Ashbourne, England, in 1928.
He served in the British Merchant Navy at the age of 16 and was also a member of the British police force helping maintain peace in Palestine after World War II.
Reflecting on his time in Palestine in 1946, he said: “I remember that after the killing of more than 100 Arabs in the Deir Yassin massacre, the British were seen as having allowed it. British convoys were attacked by both Arabs and Israeli nationalists. Our dilemma, as British officers, was that we sympathized with what had happened to the Jews in Germany, yet now there were Jewish individuals trying to kill us, fired upon by the very people we had sympathized with.”
He immigrated to Canada in 1953 and studied part-time painting at the University of Alberta. Among his notable quotes, “I have always believed that some artists, like physicists, want to know the answers behind life and are fascinated by the unknown. I am interested in questioning the nature of life and existence, exploring the invisible world, and making it visible. I will never give up. One of the greatest advantages of being in the arts or anything creative is that you never run out of ideas. What runs out is time.”
His works are present in all Canadian provinces.
Ledbetter had a painful childhood; when he was eight, his parents told him they were going to the store and would return shortly, but they never did. He and his younger brother, Paul, then six, were sent to an orphanage.
Ledbetter discovered his love for art especially painting. When he was ready to leave the orphanage on his fourteenth birthday, he asked if he could attend an art school, but was told it was important for a young man with no one to rely on but himself to pursue a trade.
In his autobiography, he mentions that he worked as a sailor and often reflected on a striking paradox, despite spending time at sea, he did not know how to swim. “Interestingly, not knowing how to swim was a common trait among sailors,” he remarked.
Despite his national stature in Canada, owning one of Ledbetter’s sculptures for a hotel, office, or home remains a symbol of prestige and a rare treasure. He passed away on May 9, 2017, at the age of 89.
He was known for large scale works like The Book of Genesis, a sculpture in the inner castle garden theater, as well as eccentric pieces like Aurora Dance, a 132-meter-long sculpted wall on 104th Street that stood for many years in the capital. Ledbetter was also famous for wearing his Gucci shoes even while sculpting.
A Great Love
Fayad, who lives among 68 paintings by his friend Ledbetter and dozens of large, medium, and small sculptures, hopes that everyone will get to know him, at least through the artworks displayed in his home on the famous Smith Drive in downtown Edmonton.
20 Total Count
