Ghanaian one-year-old world's youngest artist

 

A toddler from Ghana has officially been recognized as the world's youngest artist. Guinness World Records acknowledged Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah when he was just one year and 152 days old. The little boy began  painting at the age of six months, when his precocious talent became evident. His mother Chantelle, also an artist, said it was obvious her son had artistic talent from that young age. She explained how he started  painting. Chantelle had been commissioned to create a work for Miss Universe 2023. While she was working, she gave Ace-Liam a canvas and some paint. She said he clearly had an affinity for colour as he crawled over the canvas. Chantelle named his first piece "The Crawl".

Ace-Liam is attracting attention across the art world. His work was exhibited at Ghana's Museum of Science in January. Nine of the 10 pieces on show at that exhibition sold. Art lovers have purchased a further six of his  paintings this year. Even Ghana's first lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo commissioned work from the toddler. Chantelle said her son is creating a stir with his artistic flair. She said: "He has created a buzz and heightened the conversation about art appreciation." She said: "His abstract  paintings are inspired by the world around him – colours, shapes, textures and his mood." Guinness said: "There is no doubt that Ace-Liam has an exciting career ahead of him, and we can't wait to see what comes next."

1. CAREER: Students A strongly believe more people should pursue a career as an artist; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
2.  PAINTING: What do you know about these forms of  painting? What do you like or dislike about them? Complete this table.

	What I Know	Like / Dislike
Abstract
Graffiti
Art deco
Surrealism
Modern art
Manga art

 

3.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

1.	toddler	a.	Recognized the importance or quality of.
2.	recognized	b.	A strong, heavy cloth used by artists to paint on.
3.	acknowledged	c.	A young child who is just learning to walk, usually between 1 and 3 years old.
4.	precocious	d.	Showed official appreciation of; reward formally.
5.	evident	e.	Showing skills or abilities at an earlier age than usual.
6.	canvas (noun)	f.	Easy to see or understand; clear.
7.	affinity	g.	A natural liking, talent or feeling of connection to someone or something.

    Paragraph 2

8.	purchased	h.	A feeling of being thankful for something; understanding the value of something.
9.	commissioned	i.	Bought something with money.
10.	creating a stir	j.	A natural ability to do something well.
11.	flair	k.	Related to ideas and feelings rather than specific things you can see or touch; not realistic.
12.	appreciation	l.	Asked someone to create something, especially art, and agreed to pay for it.
13.	abstract	m.	The way something feels when you touch it, like smooth, rough, or bumpy.
14.	texture	n.	Causing excitement, interest, or a lot of discussion.

 

4. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1. acknowledged
2. precocious
3. commissioned
4. affinity
5. piece
6. exhibited
7. purchased
8. flair
9. inspired
10. mood

1. bought
2. stimulated
3. shown
4. talent
5. ordered
6. frame of mind
7. gifted
8. work of art
9. harmony
10. recognized

5.Role play

Role  A –  Painting You think  painting is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why):

Role  B – Graffiti You think graffiti is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why):

Role  C – Anime You think anime is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why):

Role  D – Photography You think photography is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why):   OR Sculpture Architecture Opera Movies

6.Discussion - Artists

1. How important is art?
2. What do you think of a one-year-old artist?
3. What talents did you have at the age of one?
4. Would you like to see Ace's  paintings?
5. Why are some children so precociously talented?
6. What artistic talent do you have?
7. What are the benefits of  painting to mental health?
8. In what way will A.I. change the art world?

11. Do you like going to art exhibitions?
12. Have you ever considered buying a painting?
13. Are people born with artistic flair or can you learn it?
14. What kind of art is the best?
15. In what way does art inspire you?
16. What kind of exciting career do you have ahead of you?
17. What questions would you like to ask a famous painter?