Brushstrokes & Breakthroughs

At Society Marbella Magazine, we love a story that blends passion with purpose, and Dr. Abiosè M O Haara’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, she is not only a sought-after live event painter, capturing moments of luxury and celebration on canvas, but also a dedicated medical doctor with a specialist interest in psychiatry. Whether painting at high-profile events across the globe or making a difference in the world of medicine, her work is fuelled by energy, colour, and movement. We sat down with Abiosè to learn more about her inspirations, creative process, and how she balances these two fascinating worlds.

Your journey is truly unique... Tell us about it, and how do you balance the worlds of high-luxury event painting and your career as a medical doctor?

Early in my journey of building a double career as both, a fine artist and medical doctor, I realised that mastery of time was my greatest asset. My time became incredibly valuable and that brought with it the astute focus in becoming a global leader as a medical doctor and the uncompromising sophistication in architecting The World’s Most Expensive Event Painting Portfolio.I am a global frontier artist. My passion lies in creating live event & studio painting; capturing weddings, corporate events, commercial happenings, and private gatherings, live and in my studio. I also create artworks born of my artistic vision in my studio and in my sketchbooks. My collectors span the world, from Europe to Australia and beyond.Establishing myself in high-luxury art from the start gave me the discipline and panoramic insight I apply across both fields. Starting at the top sets the gold standard. Now, I’m expanding my reach to visionary collectors who see luxury not just as status, but as a future-forward investment. Initially, I battled imposter syndrome until defining moments — such as when the CEO of all of Sotheby’s followed my Instagram — gave me the conviction to stay the course.

You remember the exact moment your passion for art was rekindled. Can you share more about that message from your father and why it was so pivotal?

My lineage is one of trailblazers. I am born into a famous warrior clan. My great-grandmother was a pioneer, the first female political party leader (and founder!) and first female theatre troupe owner (and travelling theatre troupe!). Her premature passing united rival trade unions, a testament to her impact. She was a rockstar, an icon, my avatar. Fast forward to my double-medically-specialised father who lifted us from near-poverty. This awarded me a childhood living next door to a former Deputy Director-General of WHO, whose conversations with my parents while I played with toys, shaped my six-year-old mind.So, years later, in the midst of a pregnancy and medical specialist training, a pivotal message from my father became more than just words—it was a catalyst, awakening something within me in legendary way. Now, I seamlessly swap between my stethoscope and paintbrush, creating transformative, luxurious works—like the artwork “S01E01: The Anchor – The One of Debbie Wingham’s World’s Most Expensive Afternoon Tea, A Diptych, ($73K)”which now lives here in Costa del Sol, while practicing family medicine with a touch of psychiatry in a highly sort-after town. Both fields share the same mission: elevating the human experience in a sophisticated and legendary way.

Your work is described as “legendary.” What does that word mean to you in the context of your art and legacy?

The message from my dad propelled me into deep art history studies, especially gravitating toward da Vinci, whose genius mirrored the nature of my own explorations. That message launched a magnetism towards creating the legendary: My studies and creativity led me to realise, to know that I stood at frontier of post-contemporary art. Art isn’t just about prestige —it’s about foresight. My art is for those who recognise an artist on the rise—an investment in legacy.

You’ve created some of the world’s most expensive event paintings. What is the creative process behind these extraordinary pieces?

Divine inspiration and blessed connections. My creative process is driven by an obsessive desire to transcend the boredom of limitations, crafting timeless masterpieces of legendary proportions, powered by energy of zillions of stars. By putting this energy out there, the energy signature of great souls – collectors - that resonate with it, are magnetised towards each other. We find each other, create blessed connections and bring to life great art.

What artists, past or present, inspire and influence your work the most?

Rather than artists per se, I experience entities. In time-related chronological order my father, Timi Dada, Handertwasser’s architecture, Danielle & Olivier Föllmi, The National Art Gallery London, Van Gogh, Akunyili, Stephen Jones, the floor in Gothenburg Art Museum with the words “Dynamite, Electricity, Photography, Magnetism, the Telephone, and Steam”, Hugo Birger, Zorn, Yinka Shonibare, Diamond Debbie Wingham, my great grandmother, Saraswathi Rangaswamy, and Pointillism... to name a few. And of course, Da Vinci.

Your art is deeply intertwined with impact and sustainability. How do you see luxury and social responsibility coexisting in today’s world?

Luxury and social responsibility are not opposing forces, they are interwoven. True luxury extends beyond wealth; it is about impact, legacy, and transformation. Therefore, drawing on inspiration from the likes of Cartier Women’s Initiative, I align my art with key UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Zero Hunger, and No Poverty— “3...4...2...1.”Luxury can be born of transformational intelligence, of the mind, the senses, and the world around us. My art explores aligning environments with intelligence at every level. There is transformational power in surrounding the soul with intelligence. Intelligent food, intelligent water, intelligent air, intelligent souls…

From opulence to hidden diamonds, there’s a mystique to your work. What’s the most surprising or unconventional element you’ve ever incorporated into a piece?

One of the most extraordinary pieces I’ve created was a timepiece sculpture painting commissioned for a client who wanted to blend art and wealth in an intimate yet extravagant way for their event. I found myself proposing creating something that speaks to quiet luxury, high luxury, secrecy and hidden value; something whose full story can only be known by its owner. That is how I came up with one of my signature event painting styles—a visual masterpiece that is also a hidden vault! “S01E02: ThBarn Door – The One Of Quiet Conversations, A Monoptych (1+M)” The frame of the timepiece painting discreetly houses the client’s portfolio of flawless diamonds, elevating it to a multi-million-dollar range.

What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or dream collaborations that excite you?

As a medical doctor, I’m highly trained in discretion. I hold the secrets of thousands of people—and I have a few things up my sleeve that I can’t wait to share. That said... I am currently in talks with a globally significant fashion collector.As for dream collaborations? Luxury is constantly evolving. While exclusivity remains, I’m pioneering new ways for collectors to engage—not just with art, but with legacy. I am an investment in the future of art.

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