Ghanaian Artist Breaks World Record With 54m Leaf Painting

A Ghanaian visual artist just proved that leaves and legacy can grow from the same roots.

Sharon Dede Padi, known as Padiki, earned Ghana's first Guinness World Record for the Largest Leaf-Print Painting. Her massive 54.33-square-meter artwork reimagined Ghana's national flag using only prints from natural leaves.

The artist completed her record-breaking work in 33 hours at the National Theatre in Accra. She used prints from neem, plantain, cocoyam, cassava, cocoa, coffee, shea, orange and lemon leaves sourced from across Ghana.

Each leaf told a story about Ghana's food systems, medicinal heritage and cultural festivals. Sharon described the artwork as "a megaphone that amplifies the silent calls of our plants."

The project carried a powerful environmental message. Sharon conceived it as a campaign against deforestation, illegal mining and the destruction of Ghana's vegetation.

Her path to the record required persistence. After an unsuccessful attempt at a 168-hour painting marathon in March 2024, Sharon refused to give up.

She assembled a dedicated team and partnered with the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana to source leaves. Guinness World Records officially confirmed her achievement on December 9.

Why This Inspires

As CEO of Padiki Art Gallery and a trained architect, Sharon championed African art, cultural heritage and women's empowerment throughout her career. She proved that traditional materials could create groundbreaking modern art.

The Ghana Association of Visual Artists honored Sharon after her recent passing, calling her "a daughter of Ghana who turned leaves into legacy." The tribute celebrated how she placed Ghana on the global stage through creativity and determination.

Before her death, Sharon presented her certificate to Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. She had planned to install the artwork as a national monument under the Black Star Experience initiative.

Her legacy lives beyond the record itself. Sharon showed young African artists that their work could honor tradition while breaking new ground.

She didn't just paint a flag. She printed Ghana's identity, resilience and future one leaf at a time.