Child prodigy the next Picasso?
Picasso's work stunned critics from an early age
A new artist has emerged on the scene, selling paintings for upwards of £900 and embarking on his second exhibition as accolades pour in. Kieron Williamson is rapidly attracting interest, but there is something unusual about his talent - he is only seven years old.
The Norfolk-based artist sold 16 new paintings at his latest exhibition, bringing in more than £18,000, and has cultivated an impressive technique as well as a devoted following. With journalists on the doorstep, a waiting list for his paintings and agents flitting around Holt, the town where he lives, Kieron appears to be the latest child prodigy to wow the art world.
His upbringing is unremarkable. Dad Keith, mum Michelle and his little sister Billie-Jo make up the family who live in a small flat and in most respects Kieron is just like any other boy his age, except for his artistic talent. One of the factors in his development was his father's transition from enjoyment of art as a hobby to a full-time job after an accident left him unable to work and with restricted mobility. Together, father and son began to take a greater interest in art and Kieron showed impressive aptitude with a pencil and paintbrush, before being offered tips on technique from some local artists.
So, is he the latest in a string of fine artists who emerged early onto centre stage, as Leonardo Da Vinci, Albrecht Durer and Picasso did?
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For Keith, who told the Guardian he didn't really know a great deal about Picasso when pressed on the issue, and Michelle, the question is not as important as allowing Kieron to express himself and sparing him from unnecessary pressure.
"It's entirely his choice," Michelle told the newspaper. "We don't know what's around the corner. Kieron might decide to put his boxes away and football might take over and that would be entirely his choice."
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Comments
His pictures are better than some of the crap I've seen in the windows of Cork Street galleries in London. My husband is an artist and he reckons many children could become as good as this, it's just a matter of how many hours of practice you put in. I'm not sure I agree but it's an interesting thought. Are geniuses born that way or is it something that can be achieved through hard graft?