In a remarkable achievement, a toddler from Ghana has been recognized as the world’s youngest male artist by Guinness World Records. Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, who was only 1 year and 152 days old when he received this prestigious title, has been captivating the art world since he first picked up a paintbrush at the tender age of six months.
Ace-Liam’s artistic journey began when his mother, Chantelle Kuukua Eghan, an artist herself, sought a way to entertain him while she worked on a commissioned piece for Miss Universe 2023. Setting up her infant with a canvas and some paint, she was astounded by the vibrant and expressive creation he produced, which she aptly named “The Crawl.”
“It was clear that he found a lot of joy in it,” Eghan shared with Guinness World Records. She was particularly struck by her son's innate sense for color combinations and his intrigue with bright hues. “He already knows what colors complement each other,” Eghan told the BBC. “His paintings show someone who is intrigued about discovering things.”
Now a bit older, Ace-Liam has developed a routine in his home studio. He stands at his mini easel, donned in his own apron, and selects the colors he wishes to work with, often calling for his mother’s assistance to open the paint tubes. His painting sessions vary in length, sometimes lasting just a few minutes and other times spanning several days. “Once he’s done, he says, ‘Mama finish,’” Eghan revealed to Guinness. Each painting, according to his mother, is a vivid expression of his curiosity and joy in exploring new things.
Ace-Liam’s talent quickly garnered attention, leading to an exhibition of his work at the Museum of Science and Technology in Accra, Ghana's capital, from last December to early January. The exhibition was a resounding success, with nine out of the ten pieces on display being sold. Among the admirers of his work was Ghana’s first lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who not only attended the exhibition but also commissioned a piece from the young artist.
Following this public exhibition and the sale of his artworks — 15 pieces sold to date — Ace-Liam met the criteria to be recognized as the world’s youngest artist, a title he officially received last week. The news was a moment of immense pride and joy for Eghan. “When I opened the email, I just broke down and thanked God,” she told the BBC.
Eghan hopes this recognition will open doors for her son, providing him with scholarships to further nurture his talents, opportunities to sell his art internationally, and a platform to shine a light on art appreciation. She also wishes to inspire others to recognize and foster the unique talents in their children. “Every child is unique, and nurturing their passions can lead to amazing discoveries and achievements,” she told Guinness.
Selena Mattei