The famous artist and poet, Sharon Dede Padi, known as Padiki, has sadly passed away at the age of 50, leaving a void in Ghana’s vibrant creative sector.Padiki, who was the holder of a Guinness World Record, reportedly died on Tuesday, July 7. The cause of her death is yet to be disclosed, but her sudden demise has deeply affected the artistic community, with many acknowledging her as an artist who showcased Ghana’s cultural richness on a worldwide scale.
In 2025, Padiki made history by clinching the Guinness World Record for creating the Largest Leaf Print Painting, a massive artwork measuring 54.33 square meters. Crafted in Accra using natural leaf impressions, the masterpiece highlighted Ghana’s environment, culture, and artistic legacy.This extraordinary achievement not only brought her global acclaim but also solidified her position as one of Ghana’s most distinguished contemporary artists.
Padiki, who was born in 1976, initially pursued Ar chitecture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and later earned a Master’s degree in Construction and Project Management from London South Bank University. Despite her architectural background, her true passion always lay in art.
Through her Padiki Art Gallery, she not only exhibited her own creations but also nurtured budding artists, providing them with opportunities to develop their skills. Her artworks and poems revolved around themes of identity, culture, and the everyday life of Ghanaians, garnering admiration both locally and internationally.
Padiki was deeply committed to advancing Ghana’s creative industry, advocating for increased investment in the arts, financial backing for emerging artists, and better access to quality art supplies.In 2022, she was appointed to the board of Ghana Digital Centres Limited, where she played a key role in initiatives that fostered innovation and bolstered the nation’s creative economy.
As a testament to her dedication, Padiki was named Visual Arts Ambassador for the bicentennial celebration of the Odwira Festival, where she showcased a live painting of the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, underscoring her steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting Ghanaian culture through art.
Her resolute spirit was evident in 2024 when she undertook a 168-hour painting marathon in a bid to set a Guinness World Record. Though unsuccessful at that time, she made a remarkable comeback the following year.
