Master Kareem Olamilekan, an 11-year-old artistically drew a portrait of President Emmanuel Macron of France during his visit to the New Afrikan Shrine in Lagos on Tuesday.
The event which held to showcase and celebrate African culture was hosted by Nigerian Artist and performer Banky W and Kenturah King.
President Macron praised and congratulated the talented boy on his official Presidential twitter account
@EmmanuelMacron “Very touched, congratulations to this young boy.
Despite the pressure of drawing the President of France on the spot, Kareem completed the hyperrealist drawing in 2 hours, reports suggest.
The visiting President emphasised the importance of the shrine to the African culture.
He wrote on his Twitter account @EmmanuelMacron
“The Shrine is an iconic cultural hub. And I say with a lot of humility that I recognize the importance of African culture.
Also present at the event were Nigerian Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Veteran Nollywood actor and actress Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva.
The New Afrika Shrine is the venue of the annual Felebration Music Festival which is currently managed by Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti.
In an interview with BBC, Kareem revealed his identity and love for arts.
My name is Kareem Waris Olamilekan. I started drawing at age six from school. I am 11 years old.
I draw my friends, cartoons, comics, illustrations from textbooks and newspapers.
I draw my inspiration from things going on around me especially my family. I draw hyperrealism pencil work.
I want to be like Arinze and Mikeangelo. I want to be like great artists in Museums
My best drawing is titled, ‘Daily Bread’
The sweat on his face. We work hard before we put food in our mouth, before we eat.”
