Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, a one-year-old from Ghana, has made history by becoming the world’s youngest male artist at the age of 1 year and 152 days, according to Guinness World Records.
Ace-Liam began showing an interest in art at just six months old. By the age of one, he had created over 20 paintings. His first group exhibition was at The Soundout Premium Exhibition held at the Museum of Science and Technology in Ghana, where nine of his ten displayed artworks were sold.
Ace-Liam’s mother, Chantelle, who is also an artist, discovered his passion for painting when he was six months old. “While learning to crawl, I spread out a piece of unstretched canvas on the floor and dropped some paint on it as a way to keep him busy while I worked on a commission painting,” she explained. This led to his first masterpiece, titled “The Crawl.”
Ace-Liam has garnered attention from national and international media
Since his early start, Ace-Liam has garnered attention from national and international media, as well as the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana. His unique talent has sparked conversations about art appreciation and the importance of nurturing young talent.
Chantelle describes Ace-Liam’s art as a form of expression and exploration. His abstract paintings are inspired by his surroundings, colors, shapes, textures, and moods. “Every painting is an expression of his curiosity and joy in discovering new things,” she said.
Ace-Liam’s painting sessions are spontaneous and mood-driven. Once his studio is set up with canvases and paints, he selects his materials and begins painting. Sessions can last from a few minutes to half an hour, sometimes revisiting pieces days later to finish them.
Future aspirations
Following his record-setting achievement, Ace-Liam’s family is seeking international scholarships and opportunities to nurture his artistic talent. Chantelle advises parents to support their children’s interests from an early age, emphasizing that every child is unique and nurturing their passions can lead to remarkable accomplishments.
For those aiming to break world records, Chantelle advises, “Follow the rules carefully. Read them over and over before attempting. The journey and the joy it brings are very fulfilling.”