Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke has made history by setting a Guinness World Record for the largest painting on canvas by an individual. His artwork, titled Impossible is a Myth, is recorded to be 12,303 square meters in size. This piece was unveiled on April 2 at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day.
Brief Biography on Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke
Born in November 2009, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke is a talented Nigerian artist who has gained international recognition, despite having autism and ADHD. Although he is non-verbal, Kanyeyachukwu uses painting as an outlet to express his thoughts and emotions in ways words cannot.
His artworks are commonly characterized by vivid colors and imaginative designs. Some of them have been featured in exhibitions held in galleries and museums across Nigeria, Europe, and other parts of Africa. Furthermore, in 2018, he became the first Nigerian recipient of the Flame of Peace award at the OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna, Austria.
Just recently, Kanyeyachukwu is again proving the potential of children with autism everywhere. The event at Eagle Square attracted dignitaries, celebrities, students, and champions for autism inclusion.
Presenting the official Guinness World Record certificate was Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa. In her remarks, she shared how Kanyeyachukwu has turned his creativity into a powerful message for inclusion, highlighting that “Talent has no boundaries.”
“The inspiration that I got from my interaction with Kanye really gave me the knowledge that there is so much power in this. Even from a personal point of view, when I was dealing with so many personal issues, looking at Kanye and seeing what he was able to overcome, I just knew that there is no excuse for failure.”
Kanyeyachukwu’s father also spoke during the ceremony, sharing touching words about his son’s determination to make the impossible happen.
“Many thought Kanyeyachukwu’s goal was impossible, but he has proven otherwise…People see the finished artwork, but they don’t witness the struggles—his meltdowns when he is told to take a break.”
The previous title holder comes from Qatar, with a canvas measuring about 9,652 square meters. In contrast, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke’s work exceeds this record by nearly 3,000 square meters.
Want to read more stories like this? Click here to learn about another world-record attempt made by a Nigerian travel content creator.
