VIDEO: Dubai-based artist Sacha Jafri's ‘Largest Art Canvas’ to raise Dhs110m for virus-hit kids and youth
- 15 Feb 2021
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Dubai-based British artist and philanthropist Sacha Jafri has officially set the Guinness World Record title for ‘The Largest Art Canvas’ in the world, with his painting "The Journey of Humanity," scaling over 17,000 square feet, Guinness World Records confirmed.
Sacha Jafri’s record-breaking painting, "The Journey of Humanity," now described as "The Modern-Day Sistine Chapel," is part of his charitable initiative "Humanity Inspired," supported by over 100 A-list celebrities in partnership with Dubai Cares and Atlantis, The Palm.
The initiative, one of the world’s largest social, artistic and philanthropic projects, aims to raise more than Dhs110 million to support children and youth around the world affected by the pandemic.
Considered the largest worldwide social, artistic and philanthropic initiative in history, the painting was created in Atlantis, The Palm’s ballroom, which was converted into the artist’s studio, where Sacha spent a period of 28 weeks from March to September 2020 during the lockdown.
Sacha, one of the most celebrated artists of our time, has been able to reach more than 2.5 billion people worldwide through this single piece of art which took seven months, 20 hours a day, to complete.
He used 1,065 paint brushes and a whopping 6,300 litres of paint to create the extraordinary painting.
Considered the largest worldwide social, artistic and philanthropic initiative in history, the painting was created in Atlantis, The Palm’s ballroom, which was converted into the artist’s studio, where Sacha spent a period of 28 weeks from March to September 2020 during the lockdown
Sacha Jafri comments on his world record and his brave initiative, “It was an honour to receive the Guinness World Records title for my project ‘The Journey of Humanity’.
This is just the beginning of the ‘Humanity Inspired’ journey. ‘Humanity Inspired’ and ‘The Journey of Humanity’ is much more than a painting, it is my initiative for true societal change through the hearts, minds & souls of the children of the world – a springboard for a better future for all Humanity.”
“If one person can spend 20 hours a day (on four hours sleep) for seven months continuously, creating a painting of over 17,000 square feet on his own, imagine what 7.5 billion people could do together if we stopped the nonsense of discrimination, judgement and agenda. One World, One Soul, One Planet’.”
“The Largest Art Canvas is a record that we accepted by Sacha” said Shaddy Gaad – Senior Marketing Manager (MENA) at Guinness World Records. “We are confident that the humanitarian cause behind the achievement is one that will inspire people. We congratulate him and those involved in this extraordinary achievement and we are happy to declare them as Officially Amazing.”
Since moving from the Atlantis Ballroom, this monumental painting ‘The Journey of Humanity’ has been broken down into numbered, signed, catalogued, and framed canvases.
70 individually framed pieces of ‘The Journey of Humanity’ will be sold across four auctions in 2021.
The funds will be raised for charitable initiatives in the sectors of education, digital connectivity, healthcare, and sanitation; in partnership with Dubai Cares, UNICEF, UNESCO, Global Gift Foundation, as well as the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Ministry of Education in the UAE.
On Feb.25 this masterpiece returns to the place of its creation, the enormous 2,100 metres squared Atlantis ballroom. This will be the first time that the canvas is ‘reunited’ as each framed piece will be assembled, recreating the original painting.
Sacha´s achievement in setting the Guinness World Record for ‘The Largest Art Canvas’ in the name of philanthropy is just monumental and speaks volumes of his generosity and kindness. The effort behind this project is huge but will mean we can really make a tangible difference to children in need around the world. Myself, Eva and all our Global Gifters can´t wait to see this symbolic and historic piece of art in person!”
Jafri’s charitable initiative ‘Humanity Inspired’ aims to raise more than $30 million (USD) and is imbued by his vision to connect people for a more conscious and empathetic world post the COVID-19 pandemic. Sacha is committed to supporting the reshaping of the future of education through global connectivity, as well as providing funds, infrastructure and support for healthcare and sanitation in the world’s poorest regions. Dubai Cares, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Global Gift Foundation are the initiative’s beneficiaries, focusing their philanthropic efforts on COVID-19 emergency relief work through diverse campaigns around the world.
From February to May 2021, select pieces from ‘The Journey of Humanity’, along with Jafri’s much celebrated ‘18yr Retrospective Collection’ will be on show at the largest gallery in the UAE, the Leila Heller Gallery, which is located in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. The gallery is helmed by internationally acclaimed gallerist Leila Heller, who is also known for her famous New York gallery which features works by Andy Warhol, Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring and Tony Cragg.
