Ghana’s creative arts industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of celebrated visual artist and poet Sharon Dede Padi, popularly known as Padiki.
She reportedly passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the age of 50.
The cause of her death has not been officially announced, and her family is yet to release a statement.
Padiki made history in 2025 when she became the first official Guinness World Records holder for the Largest Leaf Print Painting.
Her artwork, measuring 54.33 square metres, was created in Accra using impressions from natural leaves and highlighted Ghana’s culture, environment and artistic heritage.
The achievement brought her international recognition and established her as one of Ghana’s leading contemporary artists.
Born in 1976, Padiki studied Architecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before earning a Master’s degree in Construction and Project Management from London South Bank University. Although she trained as an architect, her passion for art remained central to her career.
She later founded Padiki Art Gallery, where she displayed her work and created opportunities for emerging artists. Through her paintings and poetry, she explored themes of culture, identity and everyday Ghanaian life.
Padiki was also a strong advocate for Ghana’s creative industry.
She repeatedly called for greater investment in the arts, including financial support for young artists and easier access to quality art materials.
In 2022, she was appointed to the board of Ghana Digital Centres Limited, where she contributed to initiatives supporting innovation and the creative economy.
Before her passing, she had been named Visual Arts Ambassador for the 200th anniversary of the Odwira Festival.
During the launch of the celebrations, she unveiled a live painting of the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, demonstrating her continued commitment to promoting Ghanaian culture through art.
In 2024, Padiki also completed a 168-hour painting marathon in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record.
Although that attempt was not officially recognised, she later achieved global success with her record-breaking leaf print painting.
She is survived by three children, a son and two daughters.
Padiki leaves behind a legacy of creativity, innovation and cultural pride.
Her work not only earned Ghana international recognition but also inspired many young artists to pursue their dreams and use art as a tool for education, storytelling and national identity.
