A 15-year-old Nigerian with autism has claimed the Guinness World Record for the biggest art canvas, aiming to increase awareness about autism.
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke’s artwork, showcasing a multicolored ribbon – the autism emblem – encircled by emojis, covers an area of 12,304 square meters.
The objective is to shed light on autism spectrum disorders and the difficulties faced by individuals like him, particularly in the context of societal stigmas—such as the highly contentious remarks made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services referred to autism as an “epidemic” and commented that numerous individuals with autism may “never contribute financially through taxation, secure employment, participate in sports like baseball, express themselves creatively via poetry, or experience dating.”
We hope he can accomplish something nearly as remarkable as Tagbo-Okeke’s painting.
The artwork, created in November 2024, was unveiled and officially recognized by the Guinness World Record organizers in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja during World Autism Acceptance Day in April.
Nigeria’s art and culture minister Hannatu Musawa said Tagbo-Okeke’s artwork is “a beacon of hope and inspiration” for people with autism.
“We acknowledge the distinctive skills and potential of individuals with autism and are committed to offering them chances to flourish within the creative sectors,” Musawa noted additionally.
The young artist’s record-breaking attempt, accompanied by a campaign tagged “Impossibility is a Myth,” was widely celebrated among Nigerians, partly because of his young age.
Certainly, his creation surpassed that of Emad Salehi, the former world record holder, who was almost three times as old at 42 when he established the record with a 9,652-square meter canvas.
“We experienced an immense feeling of relief and pride, realizing the tremendous amount of time and months he dedicated to smashing the record,” stated his mother, Silvia.
Kanyeyachukwu’s world record attempt also sought to raise funds for the Zeebah Foundation, a nonprofit focusing on providing support to those on the spectrum and their families.
There are limited resources in Nigeria for initiatives like this one, and while there are no official records from within Nigeria, about 1 in 100 children worldwide has autism, according to the World Health Organization.
Like in many other countries, autism is often not diagnosed in Nigeria until in older years.