By John Ogunsemore
At just 15 years, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke gained a place in the history books by creating the world’s largest art canvas.
The autistic boy, fondly called Kanye, created the masterpiece titled “Impossibility is a Myth” measuring a staggering 12,381.02 square metres, nearly twice the size of Barcelona’s Camp Nou football pitch.
On April 2, 2025, which was World Autism Day, the Guinness World Records verified the record in recognition of Kanye’s artistry and resilience and celebration of Autism Awareness, Inclusion and Neurodiversity.
A shy, yet visibly delighted Kanye looked on with a sense of accomplishment as his awe-inspiring canvas, which took many hours of meticulous planning and execution, was unveiled to the public at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The artwork itself is a technicolour masterpiece, featuring a multicoloured ribbon – the global symbol of autism – surrounded by emojis, symbolising awareness and acceptance.
Completed on November 24, 2024, the artwork surpassed the previous record of 9,632 square metres.
Kanye’s journey into art
Kanye was born in Canada to Nigerian parents but later moved to Nigeria.
He had a typical childhood until, at age two, his parents noticed developmental differences.
“Kanye was born completely normal to us. There were no signs of any incapacities in any way,” his father, Tagbo Okeke, said.
Okeke disclosed that after numerous hospital visits and initial misdiagnoses, Kanye was diagnosed with autism, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social skills, language, and interaction.
Despite being non-verbal and struggling with eye contact, he found a voice through art. Kanye’s love for colour emerged early, and his parents nurtured this passion with a structured routine to help him focus.
“Kanyeyachukwu’s artistic journey began when he realised the expressive power of colour,” Tagbo Okeke told Healthnika.
This routine, combined with his innate talent, allowed him to transcend the communication barriers often associated with autism.
By age eight, he held his first art exhibition, a remarkable milestone for such a young artist.
President Bola Tinubu called Kanye’s largest art canvas feat “brave, audacious, and tenacious”, a sentiment shared by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall.
The Guinness World Records said, “With the infinity symbol at the heart of the artwork, it represents the potential and abilities of those with Autism and breaks down the barrier faced by people with disability.”
As one of the 700,000 children with autism globally, according to the World Health Organisation, Kanye is a shining example to others, showing that neurodivergent individuals can achieve greatness with the right support.