Ghana female artist and Guinness World Record holder for largest leaf print painting don die
Wia dis foto come from, ACCRA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
Popular Ghanaian female artist Sharon Dede Padi (aka Pidiki) wey be current Guinness World Record (GWR) holder don die, di state announce.
Padiki get di record for largest leaf print painting for di world for 11 July 2025, afta GWR confam am.
On top dia official website, GWR tok say Padiki bin do di painting on 28 December 2024, wey be 54.33 square metres long.
"Sharon na artist wey dey run her own gallery, she dey proud to represent her kontri wit dis achievement wey she bin hope to empower oda women and motivate young artists," Guinness World Records tok.
Di Ghana tourism authority comfam her death wey dem tok for dia official statement say "we receive wit profound sorrow and deep shock di heartbreaking news of di passing of Sharon Dede Padi. She be beacon of resilience, determination, creativity and excellence."
"Her talent and remarkable Guinness world record achievement bin bring pride to herself, family and di kontri Ghana."
Di Ghana tourism authority add say "her untimely departure be painful loss to di tourism and creative ecosystem and di kontri. Ghana don lose one of her brightest ambassadors."
"We extend our condolence to her family, friends and loved ones wey bin dey touched by her inspiring journey. Her legacy go continue to inspire generations.
Wia dis foto come from, GHANA TOURISM MINISTRY
Padiki die one week afta dem unveil her as ambassador for one festival
Padiki celebrate her 50th birthday on 24 June when she post on top her social media say, "happy golden jubilee to me".
"I ask for Grace, favour, love, peace, good health and prosperity," she write for her birthday message dat day.
Dem bin unveil Padiki as brand ambassador and face of art for one of di kontris biggest festivals for 4 July 2026.
Padiki tok say she dey "honoured" say dem appoint her as ambassador for di Odwira festival 200 years anniversary.
Di announcement haun for di chief palace – di Akuapemhene palace for dat day.
Di Odwira festival na festival of spiritual purification, ancestral homage, thanksgiving, unity and reconciliation wey pipo of Akuapem traditional area bin dey celebrate.
"I go visit schools for Akuapem area and educate students of di Odwira tradition and culture wey I go help di students to discova dia talent for dis traditional area. I go find di talents, I go celebrate dem and give dem di platform to shine," Padiki tok afta dem unveil her as ambassador.
"I don meet Ghana president wey I give am painting, I don gift my painting to di Ashanti king Osei Tutu II, I don paint bifor royalty for Eswatini; di world don receive my work, now I dey bifor my own pipo to uplift dem."
Padiki no go even begin to do her ambassadorial work bifor she die.
Many industry pipo dey shocked about her death.
Wia dis foto come from, YAA PADIKI/FACEBOOK
Tributes pour in for di celebrated artist
Media personality Akumaa Mama Zimbi wey bin dey close to di artiste express shock for her social media.
"Sharon Dede Padi, God, I am so shocked."
Eugene Baah wey be leader of her media team for di Guinness World Record attempt dey devastated.
"I dey heartbroken about di death of my friend Padiki, she be exceptional painter and shining star for di visual arts."
"My thoughts dey wit her family for dis sad moment," Eugene Baah write.
Former Ghana Tourism Authority CEO Akwasi Agyeman tok say "her memories go live on".
"I go cherish di many paintings I bin get, your smile, your colours, your quiet strength, thank you."
Wia dis foto come from, YAA PADIKI/FACEBOOK
Profile of Sharon Dede Padi (Padiki)
Sharon Dede Padi be visual artist and architect wey dey paint for nearly 15 years wey she be CEO for di Padiki Art Gallery for Accra.
She also be assistant development officer and head of hostels for di Accra Technical University for di kontris capital.
Padiki be abstract painter wey bin dey focus on themes like heritage, culture, tradition, slavery and di African woman.
Her art dey tell stories about di African, dia identity and dia experiences.
She enta di limelight when she first attempt di Guinness World Record for d longest painting marathon for seven days, but she no get di record.
Dat setback no stop her from trying again.
She now attempt anoda one – dis time, di largest leaf print painting when she pain di Ghana flag.
Padiki and her team bin carry leaves from Tafo to Accra to create di leaf canvas for di record attempt wia she bin pain for 168 hours
For 29 January dis year, Sharon bin present her certificate for di GWR to di Tourism minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie.
Her art gallery bin get plenty artworks wey she bin open her doors to young students wey dey visit di gallery for excursion and oda educational visits.
