Meet the 11-year-old self-taught artist hoping to be ‘the next Banksy’

Elias Razak, who attends Bradshaw Primary School in Grappenhall, started teaching himself to draw aged seven.

Through watching YouTube videos and teaching himself how to sketch, Elias can now create drawings free hand and even has an art studio in his bedroom.

Elias was bullied at school a few years ago and threw himself into creating his artwork instead of letting it get to him.

“He went through a really bad time at school, and he got really depressed at one point,” said Amna Razak, Elias’ mum.

“But he just stuck himself into art and that’s all he does.

“I’m really proud of him because he could have gone a different way completely.”

One of Elias' digital drawings (Image: Elias Razak)

Elias creates art both digitally on his iPad, and on paper through freehand drawings and hopes to become the next Banksy.

“He wants people to recognise his art and to help people,” said Amna.

“He said he wants to create art and donate it to charity to help people if he can.”

The budding artist also hopes to become an architect when he is older, using his skills to help design buildings.

Elias’ aspirations mean a lot to Amna, who grew up in care homes, and she wants to help him achieve his dreams.

“As a kid I didn’t have that opportunity, so it makes me really proud,” she said.

“I’ve got a son now that’s following his dreams and I really want to push it.”