Kanye West’s high school artwork unveiled: Paintings and sketches done by superstar at age 17

Kanye West‘s high school artwork has been unveiled. 

On the latest episode of Antiques Roadshow, the husband of Kanye’s first cousin appeared with a collection of artwork done by the rapper when he was just 17-years-old.

The work demonstrated Kanye’s incredible talent at such a young age, after beginning his artistic studies at just four-years-old.   

Only a few pieces were displayed out of a larger assortment Kanye’s relative had brought with him, but the collection seen on TV was determined to potentially make anywhere from $16,000 to $23,000 at auction. 

Kanye West’s high school artwork: On the latest episode of Antiques Roadshow, the husband of Kanye’s first cousin appeared with a collection of artwork done by the rapper when he was just 17-years-old

Talented: West’s artwork could potentially make $16,000 to $23,000 at an auction 

The pieces landed in the possession of Kanye’s cousin following the death of his mother Donda West in 2007.

‘When Kanye’s mother passed away in 2007, my husband received them as part of the estate about a year after she passed,’ he explained. 

Art specialist Laura Woolley was beyond impressed with the collection as she examined the pieces on camera.

‘I think these pieces demonstrate an extraordinary facility as an artist, and I selected this grouping because it shows the different mediums he was working in,’ Laura said. 

Impressed: Art specialist Laura Woolley was beyond impressed with the collection as she examined the pieces alongside the husband of Kanye’s first cousin 

Side interest: Interestingly, Kanye’s career as a music producer is mentioned as almost an afterthought in the biography

‘On this one we obviously have graphite,’ he said, referencing to the sketch of the chained creature. ‘This is an unfinished piece, we have graphite again,’ she said, pointing out the photo of a woman. ‘It looks like we have gouache over there on board, and this is a technique, we call scratch board, where you have color pigment laid down and you cover it with a black ink and it’s scraped away to create an image underneath. And they’re all really exceptionally well done.’ 

The collection also included a flyer promoting his first art showing, which had an ‘About The Artist’ detailing his extensive educational background. 

Kanye was just four when he began studying art at the Hyde Park Academy, followed by attendances at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago State University, Nanjing University in the People’s Republic of China, and Polaris School for Individual Education. 

Interestingly, Kanye’s career as a music producer is mentioned as almost an afterthought in the biography.

Get to know Kanye: The collection also included a flyer promoting his first art showing, and an ‘About The Artist’ detailing his extensive educational background

Wow: Woolley said this piece could potentially reap $6,000 to $8,000 at an auction

Valuable: She also said this drawing could make $2,000 to $3,000

‘My favorite part of this flyer is actually the very end, it says in the fall he will begin his studies to get a bachelors of fine arts at the American Academy Of Art in Chicago, and continue to pursue a career as a music producer as well’ Laura noted. ‘That’s kind of an aside. So we all know what happened, obviously music kind of took over. How is it that a 17-year-old attended all these schools in foreign?’ 

Kanye’s relative explained, ‘Because his mother was an English college professor. She traveled all around the world, and he went everywhere with her.’ 

‘So he had such an opportunity to experience all the cultures around the world too, which I personally didn’t know that about him, so that also informs kind of where he’s coming from,’ Laura said. 

Collector’s item: Woolley said this piece could make $3,000 to $5,000

Expensive: This one was valued at $5,000 to $7,000

Early promise: West completed the works as a sophomore at Polaris High School in Chicago

Donda wanted her son to have the opportunity to pursue whatever he wanted, Kanye’s relative added.  

‘He’s got a much more global view of art and culture. His mother pushed him to do anything he wanted to do, and made sure that it was available for him,’ he explained. 

Laura believed Kanye’s artwork will only continue to grow in value, despite some of his controversial stances.

‘I think despite the fact some people might say he is a controversial figure with his opinions and his career, I don’t think anyone can deny the fact that he has extraordinary talent, and I think that in time, I would expect these to continue to appreciate,’ she said. 

Nowadays, Kanye has enjoyed a highly successful career as a musician, and in 2015 was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

The rapper has been married to Kim Kardashian since 2014, and together they have daughters North, six, Chicago, two, and sons Saint, four, and Psalm, 10 months.  

Domestic bliss: The rapper has been married to Kim Kardashian since 2014, and together they have daughters North, six, Chicago, two, and sons Saint, four, and Psalm, 10 months