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Sharon Dede Padi

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Sharon Dede Padi
Padi in 2024
Born1975 or 1976
Died (aged 50)
EducationKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
OccupationsPainter, poet
Known forArt
StyleWatercolor painting, drawing, acrylic painting
AwardsGuinness World Records – Sharon Dede Padiki
2024 Largest Leaf Print Painting – Artist
[1]
ElectedBoard of Ghana Digital Centres Limited

Sharon Dede Padi (1975 or 1976 – 7 July 2026) was a Ghanaian painter and poet.[2] She was the first official Guinness World Record holder for the largest leaf print painting, spanning 54.33 square metres (584.8 sq ft).[1][3][4]

Early life and education

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Sharon Dede Padi was born in 1975 or 1976.[5] She discovered her passion for painting at a young age. She honed her artistic skills while studying architecture engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. Despite pursuing a career in architecture, she never lost her love for art and decided to incorporate it into her profession as a pastime.[6]

She also held a master's degree in construction and project management from the London Southbank University.[2]

Career and advocacy

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Padi was the CEO of Padiki Art Gallery, where she showcased her artwork and supported other upcoming artists.[7] Her artistic repertoire includes various styles such as watercolor painting, card pasting, and drawing.[6] In recognition of her contributions to the art industry, she was honoured with the Most Outstanding Female in Art award at the feminine Ghana Achievement Awards.[8] In 2022, she was inducted to the board of the Ghana Digital Centers Limited.[9] In 2025, a leaf print painting she created in Accra measuring 54.33 m² was awarded the Guinness World Record for being the largest, with her becoming the first record holder in that category.[1][4]

Padi was a strong advocate for encouraging young artists and promoting the arts in Ghana.[7] She called on the government of Ghana to pay attention to the Ghanaian art industry, and emphasised the need for affordable materials and a financial support for upcoming artists.[10]

In March 2024, Padi completed a 168-hour painting marathon in an attempt to break the record of longest painting marathon held by Chancellor Ahaghotu.[11]

Death

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Sharon Dede Padi died on 7 July 2026, at the age of 50.[5][12]

Publications

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Padi launched her first book, REFLEXIONS, in 2023[13] and became a classified publisher at the Ghana Library Authority.[14] The book features over 100 paintings from her repertoire, which she transformed into poems. Through her book, she aimed to create mental images of objects, nature, and human activities, showcasing the deep connection between art and poetry and the inherent strength of African women which constitutes a central theme in her work.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Largest leaf print painting". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 "I want to project Africa through my paintings- CEO of Padiki Arts Gallery". 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "Ghanaian artist sets Guinness Record with leaf print – MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 GNA (23 February 2026). "Ghanaian artist sets Guinness Record with leaf print". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  5. 1 2 "GWR holder, visual artist Sharon Dede Padi passes away". Ghana Web. 8 July 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Sharon Dede Padi Launches Her Maiden Book". The Daily Searchlight. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  7. 1 2 Online, Peace FM. "Art, A Profession To Encourage Young Ones To Do – Sharon Dede Padi". Peacefmonline.com – Ghana news. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Padiki Art Gallery:A Fulfilled Reality". Peacefmonline.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "GDCL, AITI-KACE boards inaugurated". The Daily Statesman Newspaper. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Ghana government urged to disburse funds to the creative art industry". Ghana Business News. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  11. ↑ Crabbe, Nathaniel (23 March 2024). ""She's done well": Sharon unofficially breaks 100-hour GWR paint-a-thon record". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  12. ↑ "Guinness World Record holder and celebrated Ghanaian artist Sharon Dede Padiki dies at 50". Pulse Ghana. 8 July 2026. Archived from the original on 9 July 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Sharon Padi launches her first poetry book". Ghana News Agency. 6 July 2023. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "Classified Authors: Ghana Library Authority" (PDF). gnb.library.gov.gh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  15. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "I Want My Book To Promote And Raise Awareness Of Art In Its Diverse Forms". Peacefmonline.com – Ghana news. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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