Books: In The Shadow Of Gauguin - A Tale Of Reincarnation

Where "stranger than fiction" true stories are the norm, the Institute for the Integration of Science, Intuition and Spirit studies cases of synchronicity like the Gauguin - Teekamp case and works to prove reincarnation through scientific means.

In the late 1960's, Peter Teekamp began his artistic career with a theme that included hiding faces in his work. In 1978, Teekamp recognized hidden faces in the artwork of artist Paul Gauguin and found later that no one in 100 years had ever studied Gauguin's theme of hiding faces.

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In December, 2003, as Teekamp was finishing his journal that included the Gauguin hidden faces discovery, he stumbled onto and purchased an original charcoal drawing with one of Gauguin's most famous images, "Tahitian Women, On the Beach."

In January 2004, just one month later, the seller sued Teekamp for custody of the drawing claiming Teekamp had coerced the seller into taking Teekamp's $5,000. Teekamp filed a counter suit and with his evidence of a legal sale, the lawsuit against him was dismissed.

During this time Teekamp had contacted the Wildenstein Institute in Paris (the authority on the works of Gauguin) who stated that while they did not feel this charcoal was by Gauguin himself, they would leave the door open for future research.

By 2006, Teekamp's research into the charcoal drawing and how it fit within Gauguin's overall body of work was making a compelling case. Art experts stated that a "document" drawing used in the creation of "Tahitian Women, On the Beach" was the only possible explanation for the fact that the same model posed for both figures. Could the drawing found by Teekamp in 2003 be this lost document?

The finding of the drawing adds to a growing list of ironies in a Teekamp's life, which was already abundant with coincidences regarding Paul Gauguin.

In 2006, Author and reincarnation researcher Dr. Walter Semkiw published the Gauguin/ Teekamp case in Chapter 8 of his book Born Again, Reincarnation Cases Involving International Celebrities, India's Political Legends and Film Stars. Now being translated into multiple languages, Semkiw's research shows the parallels between Gauguin and Teekamp in a new light and is just one among dozens of similar independently researched reincarnation cases, that include:

• Anne Frank - Barbro Karlen,
• Pablo Picasso - Alexandra Nechita
• Peyton Randolph - Bill Clinton,
• Horatio Gates - Al Gore,
• James Wilson - Oprah Winfrey,
• Princess Lambala - Judith Light,
• Dorothy Dandridge - Halle Berry,
• Marilyn Monroe - Sherrie Lea Laird, (researched by Dr. Adrian Finkelstein), and
• David Rittenhouse - Carl Sagan to name just a few.

The Institute for the Integration of Science, Intuition and Spirit (IISIS). headed by Dr. Semkiw, endeavors to prove reincarnation through scientific means such as DNA testing. Teekamp is offering a collection of his art, plus the charcoal drawing he found in 2003 with 50% proceeds to further assist the IISIS organization.

On May 11, 2007, the week of Gauguin's death, Teekamp and research partner, Michelle Moshay, were invited to speak about the art and life of Paul Gauguin aboard the artist's namesake ship, Regent Seven Seas M/S Paul Gauguin, cruising the islands of Tahiti where Gauguin lived and died. The confirmation letter was sent to Teekamp on June 7, Paul Gauguin's birthday. It also happens that Peter Teekamp looks like Paul Gauguin.

"These coincidental situations have created a serious challenge for me," says Peter Teekamp. "Some accuse me of using Paul to benefit Peter, with words like 'con-artist', 'egomaniac', and claim I am insulting peoples' intelligence. Yet, simply there is no way I could have created this, I am just not that smart! And if I'd had the choice, I'd rather have been Michelangelo. Although it hurts to be misjudged, I totally understand, since I was as surprised as anyone at how events unfolded. But if you look at all the facts, you will see that truth is indeed stranger than fiction and unbelievably beautiful. So much so, that few people do believe it! And that is my obstacle. Please advise me, I would love to know, what would you do?"

For closer looks, Teekamp's story; "Pass It On, Art History" is available on DVD from his site as well as the art for IISIS.

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