By Oyebola Owolabi
Nine-year-old Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke’s physical appearance is normal for a child his age, and so it is very difficult to tell that he is a special needs child. Kanye is autistic and limited in verbal communication. However, what Kanye lacks in verbal speech, he makes up for with his creative paintings.
Kanye, who has earned the moniker ‘Young Picasso’, is not new on the creative scene; he has had solo and group exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad. He is the youngest recipient of the Flame of Peace Awards, bestowed on him in Vienna, Austria. He is also a fellow of the Association of Professional Creative Artists and Designers in Nigeria (APCAD). Kanye is also a recipient of the 2019 Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) for Heroes of Nigeria; he won the social bravery category for using his autism foundation to support people like him who have no access to quality education and healthcare.
Penultimate week, Kanye held a seven-day solo exhibition at Terra Kulture in Lagos. The exhibition, with the theme: Impossibility is a Myth, featured Kanye’s astounding works done with oil, acrylic and water colour in the last four years. It was a testament to the fact that nothing is impossible.
Personalities who graced the exhibition extolled Kanye’s creative ingenuity, describing it as outstanding for a child his age, especially as he is autistic.
The Group Managing Director of Nestoil Plc., Ernest Nnaemeka Azudialu-Obiejesi, described the exhibition as life-changing. “Indeed, Kanyeyachukwu has demonstrated that even with autism, one can still make meaningful impact in the society. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to support and celebrate this bundle of creative talent,” he said.
National President of the Association of Professional Creative Artists and Designers in Nigeria (APCAD) Kingsley Okafor, who also curated the exhibition, noted that Kanye was made a fellow of the association because of his ingenuity.
He said: “Today’s event is all about Kanye, a creative artist of impeccable nature. He works with oil on canvas and acrylic on canvas. He does abstract and semi-abstract paintings. Kanye’s work of art speaks louder than words; this exhibition is a master showcase. Kanye is young and creative, and so APCAD is giving him and his foundation this exposure to help others like him. His cause is worthy of celebration.”
Disc Jockey (DJ) and philanthropist CUPPY was perhaps the most passionate about the exhibition. She proudly announced to be the owner of one of Kanye’s works after purchasing it at the exhibition. According to Cuppy, autism can bring out a different perspective of creativity in people, as proven in Kanye’s case.
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She said: “I am proud to support Kanye, a young man with so many prospects. I met him in Abuja. I am passionate about supporting persons with autism, especially in creativity because I see a lot of Kanye in Mofe, my 19-year-old autistic brother. For me, it is very important to show that autism is not a hindrance or negativity. From Kanye’s artwork, it is evident that autism can bring out a different perspective of creativity. I have tried to encourage people to see autistic persons as geniuses, who just have a complication in communication. Kanye’s cause should be celebrated because he is creatively expressing himself and this gives me hope that more people will come to understand the autism spectrum more.
“Earlier this year, the Ziba Foundation for Autism was launched to help others with similar issues and encourage siblings of autistic persons. People find the communication gap frustrating to deal with so at Ziba I try to inspire them through stories of how I bonded with my own brother. Fewa is 19 but we connected through music while growing up. Seeing Kanye and his art, Fewa and music shows that there are so many ways in which we can connect and spend time together without verbal communication.”
The exhibition featured fantastic pieces such as Africa Rising, which signified the rise of Africa from the turmoil of war, pestilence, famine and other ills, to the peak of prosperity. Another was Mother Nature, which depicted the beauty in the land and the mother who watches over it; Discrimination to show how humans allow their differences to create a gulf between them and Friendship to signify unity and peace.
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