Child prodigy, 11, sells art for five-figure prices

Mikail Akar started painting at the age of four, using finger paint that his parents gave him. It was the beginning of an amazing career as a child prodigy. Mikail is now probably the youngest gallery owner in Germany. His family's own 'Gallery Ehren Art' opened in Cologne in mid-November.

Anyone who wants to own a work by Mikail has to dig deep into their pockets. He now sells his colorful paintings for five-figure sums.

“I’m not a millionaire yet,” the child prodigy told the Rheinische Post newspaper. But his paintings are sold worldwide. The most expensive to date after Vienna for 30,000 euros, as the Rheinische Post reports.

In April 2023, the 11-year-old had an exhibition in New York with the very appropriate title: 'Mikail Akar - Unbelievable'. And it wasn't the first.

He has already painted together with Manuel Neuer for a good cause. In addition, he and Peter Maffay designed a picture that was auctioned off to benefit war victims in Ukraine.

Mikail Akar was born on October 9, 2012 in Cologne. His family is of Turkish descent and he has two younger siblings. His mother Elvan Akar and his father Kerem Akar quickly realized that their son had a very special talent.

On the Wehr Gallery website, you can read the following about the boy, who is described by some media as a 'Mini-Picasso': "Germany's youngest abstract painter Mikail Akar is the new star in the art sky. It is his special feeling for the interaction of colors. And the way he powerfully brings them to the canvas using different techniques."

In 2020 he had his first exhibition, 'Cologne Kiss You' at Gallery M7173 in Cologne. Mikail was seven at the time.

When Mikail is not opening exhibitions (like here in New York) he goes to school like any child. His father assured the Rheinische Post: "We are not building up any pressure. Mikail paints about eight paintings a month, mostly on the weekends."

His father is his manager and is always coming up with new marketing ideas. His mother now also works for her son's artistic career. It will be interesting to see what the child prodigy can achieve with the support of his parents.