15-year-old art protégé, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, is on the verge of making history by attempting to make the Guinness World Record (GWR) for Largest Canvas Painting.
Come Monday, December 9, 2024, the popular and well-travelled artist will officially kickstart the attempt to paint a 12,303 square meters canvas, to beat the current holder of the World Largest Canvas Painting, Emad Salehi, whose artwork stands at 9,652 square meters.
LEADERSHIP reports that this is the first time such a record is being attempted by a person living with autism or a person with special needs.
The attempt is aimed at creating increased awareness of people with special needs, and emphasising their strengths and contributions to the society.
It is further aimed at raising funds to build The Zeebah Foundation’s state-of-the-art Autism Resource Center in Abuja, a not-for-profit organisation providing specialised care, education and therapy for children living with autism.
Kanyeyachukwu’s team, The Zeebah Foundation, JC Best Schools, Matris Animocurant and Kaftan TV, have spent the past 10 days preparing the canvas at his school, JC Best Schools International, which he’d paint in batches of 5 x 20 meters.
In the Guinness World Record for Largest Art Canvas, there is no special treatment for persons living with disability, and no specific timeline to finish.
Board member of the Foundation, Matlou Tsotetsi, said Kanyeyachukwu will be guided by his progress and professionalism.
“Professionalism in art is about being yourself and bringing out the best in you for others to enjoy.
“Because we want Kanye to enjoy what he is doing. He could finish this in a month or much later. We will be governed by how he progresses.
“Don’t forget he is a 15-year-old, and will be painting in between school, home and church responsibilities,” Tsotetsi stated.
On how much help he’d get with the painting, Tsotetsi noted that all brush work will be done by Kanye, while his team will help in tasks such as mixing paints.
“Nobody else will be touching the brush and canvas, that will be Kanye’s alone to do. He will get assistance in terms of mixing paints, providing water, among other things, to ensure his comfort while he is on the project.
“Everything we have done is in line with the Guinness World Record, which are very strict.”
In addressing concerns that the young boy may be overstretched beyond his capacity, Tsotetsi assured that in addition to an art therapist working with Kanye, he’d have people from the Foundation spend time with him for the duration of the project. “We are glad that Guinness is not treating Kanye as a special case. There is no special treatment for people with special needs because this is something that autistic people are vocal about. That they are not different from other people. Kanye is an artist just like other artists.”
Speaking of her relationship with the young artist, Kokab Farrukh, Kanye’s first art teacher who worked with him at age 5, stressed the need to pinpoint and harness the talent of children especially those living with disabilities.
“The first drawing Kanye made with me was a lion and a spaghetti. The first painting he did was a miniature 9×9 inches canvas.
“Its indicative that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. Imagine, if Kanye’s parents didn’t bring him to me, and I didn’t recognise his talent, we wouldn’t be here today.
“We should have it in mind that no child is ordinary. Every child abilities to express themselves, particularly autistic children who are blessed, particularly in artistic expression.
“Once you notice your autistic child is good artistic wise, note that and take them to a professional to help build that talent.
“I am happy that the 9×9 inches canvas we started with has grown into the 12,303 square meters one we have today,” said Kokab.
Kanye’s entire process of painting the canvas will be recorded live on cameras that will be installed in the school building, ensuring that the world would not miss out on any part.
Stating its pride and support for Kanye, JC Best Schools International staff, Pastor Onuora Chukwunonso Abraham, said the young artist represents not just the school’s motto, ‘Best In Spite of All Odds’, but has proven that impossibility is a mere myth.
“This record-breaking attempt is more than an artistic milestone. It shows that with passion, hard work, and the right support, no dream is too big, and no barrier too high,” he added.
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