Ghanaian visual artist and Guinness World Record holder Sharon Dede Padi, popularly known as Padiki, has died at the age of 50.
According to multiple reliable sources, the acclaimed artist passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, July 7, 2026, after a short illness.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from Ghana’s creative arts community and socialites, with many expressing shock, noting that she had appeared in good health during recent public engagements and interviews.
Padiki was widely recognised for her contributions to the visual arts and for promoting environmental consciousness through her distinctive leaf-print painting technique.
She gained international recognition after earning a Guinness World Record for creating the world’s largest leaf-print painting, a feat that brought global attention to her innovative artistic style.
In March 2024, she undertook a 168-hour (seven-day) painting marathon at the Accra Tourist Information Centre, where she produced 145 artworks in an effort to showcase artistic endurance and creativity.
Beyond painting, Padiki was also a poet, actress and founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Padiki Art Gallery, where she championed the development of emerging artists and promoted Ghanaian art.
Her work was noted for combining artistic expression with environmental advocacy, using natural materials to raise awareness about conservation and sustainability.
