At just 15 years old, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke has etched his name into history. The talented young Nigerian, who is on the autism spectrum, has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the largest individual painting on canvas—an awe-inspiring masterpiece spanning 12,303 square metres.
The monumental work, titled Impossible is a Myth, was unveiled in Abuja’s Eagle Square on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, to a crowd of admirers, dignitaries, and advocates for inclusion.
It was a moment of pride and vindication for Tagbo-Okeke and his family. “So many doubted him,” his father shared at the event. “But today, he has silenced those doubts—not just for himself, but for every child living with autism around the world.”
Art, Culture, and Creative Economy Minister Hannatu Musawa hailed the achievement as a beacon of hope.
“Kanye’s story teaches us that passion, when nurtured, knows no limits,” she said. “He has not only raised the bar for art, but for what’s possible when we embrace and empower neurodiverse individuals.”
UNICEF Nigeria’s Cristian Munduate added: “This record is more than a number—it’s a powerful reminder that every individual holds immense potential, regardless of ability. Our societies must reflect that truth.”
Kanye, born in November 2009, is already a rising star in the art world. His vivid, expressive works have been showcased in galleries and museums in Nigeria, Europe, and across Africa. Notably, he was among four Nigerian artists whose works were exhibited at the OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna in 2018.
His recent record-breaking feat, completed in November 2024, overtakes the previous record of 9,652 square metres set in Qatar—placing Kanye and Nigeria firmly in the global spotlight.
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