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BREAKING: Nigerian Artist Sets World Record With Largest Individual Drawing

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4 hours ago

Nov 14, 2024.

Nigerian doctor and artist Fola David-Tolaram has achieved a historic milestone, setting the Guinness World Record for the largest individual drawing, as confirmed by Guinness World Records on Thursday.

David-Tolaram’s masterpiece, titled “The Unity of Diversity,” spans an astonishing 1,004.7 square meters (10,814.5 square feet)—equivalent to nearly 3.8 tennis courts. The record-breaking artwork was created at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, celebrating Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the 31-year-old artist’s work depicts a vibrant map of Nigeria, highlighting the country’s unique traditions and cultural elements.

“Nigeria is a multi-cultural nation.

“I wanted to create something that speaks to that and give people an avenue to celebrate their cultures,” David-Tolaram explained. His piece showcases Nigeria’s array of foods, clothing, festivals, and music, inspired by his journey across Nigeria, where he immersed himself in different cultural experiences. “It was this experience that I brought to the stadium to create this drawing,” he added.

The ambitious project required six days to complete on a 1,360 square meter canvas, using waterproof markers, with two additional days to set up the canvas. Initially, David-Tolaram intended to work outward from the center in a circular pattern but adapted his approach as the drawing evolved, maneuvering between sections.

World Record Largest Drawing

David-Tolaram recalled his initial apprehension: “I remember standing right in the center of this canvas, feeling a lot of apprehension and fear. For five minutes, I stood there, conditioning myself for the challenge.”

However, once he made the first stroke, his fears vanished. “The moment my marker touched the canvas, there was no going back,” he said.

The project attracted supportive crowds at the 5,000-seat stadium, contributing to what David-Tolaram described as an “electrifying atmosphere.”

Now a Guinness World Record holder, he expressed his pride, saying, “Holding a Guinness World Records title is absolutely unbelievable. I grew up reading about world records and never thought I would be a title holder.

“I feel very honored, distinguished, and officially amazing.”