Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke: Painting Hope, Shattering Stereotypes
The artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke is a 14 year old art savant living with Autism in Nigeria. Kanye started painting at age 5 and over the years has commissioned breathtaking piece of art works which has been recognized globally in the creative art world leading to him being a recipient of numerous local and international awards.
At a period when autism spectrum disorder was (and still is) relatively unknown by the public, parents and even teachers. Kanyeyachukwu has through art surmounted numerous odds and stereotypes associated with children suffering from neurological disorders bringing a story of “hope” and raising a voice for kids across the world that have been denied the adequate love and care they deserve from their families, teachers, and caregivers.
At the tender age of 8, he was honoured by the Arc Duke and Arc Duchess of Austria with The Flame of Peace Award, an honour reserved for members of the diplomatic corp, and leaders who have used their position(s) to foster global peace and unity at a ceremony that drew the attendance of over 70 artists from all over the world at Vienna, Austria. He remains the youngest and only Nigerian awardee till date to be so honoured.
In September 2018, Kanye’s art along with that of Ben Ibebe, Kaltume Gana and Amedu Ikiaga three internationally revered Nigerian artists, was featured for the first time ever at the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) Vienna yearly art exhibition with that edition titled “Scenes of Peace”.