Nigerian art student paints his way to world record with 100-hour marathon

Chancellor Ahaghotu, a Nigerian art student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, has etched his name in history by breaking the decade-old record for the longest painting marathon. 

At a staggering 100 consecutive hours, he nearly doubled the previous mark of 60 hours set in 2013 by Roland Palmaerts.

"Coming to the US, I dreamt of pursuing my art and building recognition," Chancellor shared before his attempt. "Breaking this record would truly amplify my voice as an artist, both here at SCAD and on a global stage."

Marathon rules specify that participants can focus on one large painting or create multiple works, as long as they depict recognizable images. Abstract creations are unfortunately out of bounds.

Over four days, Chancellor tirelessly brought 106 unique visions to life. His subjects ranged from portraits of celebrities to mouthwatering food, lush nature scenes, captivating animals, and more. Even at the 60-hour mark, surpassing the previous record, he celebrated with a painting of a broken record player.

"For me, the beauty of these creations lies in how they mirror the different moods and emotions I was experiencing throughout the marathon," Chancellor explains.

Like other "longest marathon" records, participants are allowed five-minute breaks for every continuous hour of activity. These can be accumulated and used for bathroom breaks, meals, or naps. For Chancellor, these were the only moments of respite during his artistic journey.

He admits battling fatigue near the 88-hour mark, but his commitment to reaching 100 hours remained unwavering. The initially planned routine of one painting per hour was surpassed even before the clock struck 100, leaving space for impromptu still lifes and a final self-portrait depicting his exhaustion.

"Completing the 100 hours brought immense joy and a sense of triumph," Chancellor says. "It was a completely new experience, and I'm incredibly proud of myself for pushing through. This achievement signifies personal growth, fuels my artistic aspirations, and brings honor to both my school and my country."