On June 14, 2017, a fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, located in North Kensington, West London, tragically snatching 72 lives with it. One of those lives was Khadija Saye, a 24-year-old young artist on the verge of a blossoming career.

Khadija Saye was only 24. She had so much going for her, so much talent and life – gone as a result of one tragic night. We will never forget you. #Grenfell

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونpic.twitter.com/k4v5eHGNGL— ✨???????? (@Ayymina_) June 14, 2018

The day before she died in the tragic fire, Saye met with a top gallery director who had been supremely impressed by her work.

“In the last few weeks she had been invited to show in all kinds of serious galleries; her dreams were actually beginning to manifest themselves in the most exciting way,” said Nicola Green, an artist who served as Saye's mentor, The Guardian reports. “Khadija’s story is inspirational, it needs to be told so that other Khadijas in the world hear it – that is the important legacy of her incredible story.”

Green also spoke about Saye's tenacity and determination, which she acquired navigating the dichotomy between the exclusive school she attended and her home life at Grenfell Tower with her Gambian mother.

Before her passing, Saye suffered a wrongful arrest. Cleared of any wrongdoing with the help of Green's partner, Tottenham MP David Lammy, Saye would go on to channel the experience into her work.

In one of her most well-known series, Dwelling: In This Space We Breathe, Saye highlighted traditional Gambian spiritual practices and finding solace within a higher power.

“Khadija was a beautiful young woman who had blossomed over the last few years,” said Lammy. “She had lived with this horrible accusation, and it was devastating, but instead of anger she poured it into her work.”

“She touched so many lives and made such a wonderful and lasting impression,” said Lou Johnson, a close friend of Saye's at the University for the Creative Arts. “I’m so proud of all she achieved and was going to achieve."

Saye's best friend, photographer Charlotte Levy, reminisced on the days they spent in the studio's darkroom.

“She was just the most incredible person, she went through so much stuff, but she always listened and was always there for you,” she said. “She was making such powerful work, but still saying she didn’t have a clue. She was such a beautiful person, she lit up a room.”

"I miss her so much, and will forever have her in my thoughts,” Johnson added.

Rest in power, Khadija Saye.

Khadija Saye

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