Audio By Carbonatix
French President Emmanuel Macron has praised the skills of an 11-year-old Nigerian artist who drew a stunning portrait of him in just two hours.
Kareem Waris Olamilekan drew a portrait of President Macron during his visit to Fela Kuti's New Africa Shrine in Lagos Tuesday.
Macron is currently on a two-day visit to Nigeria and attended a cultural showcase at the venue to announce the launch of the Season of African Cultural Season, scheduled to hold in France in 2020.
While waiting for the President to arrive, Olamilekan got to work and created a portrait of Macron, which was presented to him by the event's host, Nigerian singer, Banky W.
Unbelievably talented 11-year old Kazeem paints the President of France on a canvas in just 2 hours at the New Afrika Shrine yesterday. You should have seen the shock on the Macron's face.#Art #Muse #PrideofLagos #AfrikaShrine #afrotourism #africa #culture pic.twitter.com/9Z0DDV25p7
— Afro Tourism (Flights & Tours) (@afrotourist) July 4, 2018
A visibly moved Macron touched heads with Olamilekan and later took to Twitter to appreciate his work.
He posted a short video of the moment, with the caption, "Very touched. Congrats to this young boy."
Olamilekan is one of the youngest members of a growing community of artists in Lagos creating hyper-realistic charcoal and pencil paintings.
Very touched, congratulations to this young boy! pic.twitter.com/hQd3ylxGnV
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 3, 2018
Hyperrealism is a genre of art that produces hand-drawn images resembling high-resolution photos.
Other young Nigerian creatives, like Arinze Stanley and Oscar Ukonu, are using their art to mirror real life.
It's an aesthetic growing in popularity, amongst both the local art community and an avid global audience.
During the event organized by TRACE media, President Macron was treated to a display from top contemporary Nigerian visual artists Ndidi Emefiele, Abraham Onoriode Oghobase and Victor Ehikhamenor, curated by ArtX Lagos fair founder, Tokini Peterside.
Latest Stories
-
Pay teacher allowances to improve student performance – Ntim Fordjour urges gov’t
3 hours -
Why Alonso’s chances of survival at Real Madrid are slim
3 hours -
Legal Green Association launches scholarship scheme for law students
3 hours -
Simon Madjie writes: Oti Region: Ghana’s emerging growth frontier
4 hours -
Cedi slips amid seasonal heat; one dollar equals GH¢12.20
4 hours -
Yirenkyi-Addo wins ‘Deloitte CEO Impact Award’
4 hours -
‘I am not weak’ says Slot, but Salah could return
4 hours -
World Bank’s new outcome bond supports clean cooking initiative in Ghana
4 hours -
NACOC nabs 3 in connection with 1,158kg suspected cocaine shipment to Belgium
4 hours -
‘Certiorari is not stay of execution’: Amaliba defends Parliament’s notification on Kpandai vacancy
4 hours -
Sister Sandy set to host Medikal’s BYK Concert at the Accra Sports Stadium
5 hours -
AfroFuture Ghana 2025 adds Rema, KiDi and more to its December festival lineup
5 hours -
Paramount launches rival bid for Warner Bros Discovery
5 hours -
Ukraine’s European allies press for more security guarantees
6 hours -
Why the haste? – NPP MP question’s EC notification over vacant Kpandai seat despite stay of exection
6 hours
