A painting by a Dubai-based British artist and philanthropist has broken the Guinness World Recordfor‘The Largest Art Canvas’ in the world. The unique art piece is now set to raise $30 million through four auctions in 2021 to support children and youth worst-hit by the aftermath of the pandemic. The initiative is one of the world’s largest social, artistic and philanthropic projects.

Measuring over 17,000 square feet, the record-breaking painting titled ‘The Journey of Humanity’, is part of artist Sacha Jafri’s charitable initiative ‘Humanity Inspired’ that was launched in partnership with UAE-based global philanthropic organisation Dubai Cares, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and Atlantis, The Palm.

The newly-set record is the latest of many Guinness World Record titles set in Dubai. The Dubai-based British artist’s achievement reflects the emirate’s rising status as a global cultural hub and its ability to provide an ecosystem for art and artists to flourish.

Commenting on the initiative, Sacha Jafri said: “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’represent much more than just creative work, it is my initiative for true societal change through the hearts, minds and 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 (with only four hours of sleep) for seven months continuously, creating a painting of over 17,000 square feet, imagine what 7.5 billion people could do together if we stopped discrimination, judgement and agenda. One World, One Soul, One Planet’,” the artist added.

Created inside the ballroom of Atlantis, The Palm, which was converted into an art studio, the giant canvas took 28 weeks to create starting from March to September 2020. Spending almost 20 hours a day on the art piece, Sacha used 1,065 paint brushes and a whopping 6,300 litres of paint in order to complete the extraordinary painting.

The monumental painting was later broken down into numbered, signed, catalogued and framed canvases. A total of 70 individually framed pieces of the art piece will be sold in four auctions in 2021. The funds raised will be donated for charitable initiatives in education, digital connectivity, healthcare and sanitation in partnership with Dubai Cares, UNICEF, UNESCO, Global Gift Foundation, as well as the UAE Ministries of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Education.

The initiative has been endorsed by more than 100 celebrities from across the globe,and the project has seen 2.5 billion online users engage with it worldwide.

The official ‘Royal Unveiling’ of the painting is set to take place at Atlantis, The Palm on 25 February at the 2,100 square metre Atlantis ballroom where the artwork was initially created. This will be the first time the canvas will be assembled back using each framed piece to recreate the original painting.

The event, which will serve as a celebration of hope, culture and inspiration, will see special performances by some of the world’s greatest talents, including singer, songwriter, actress-activist and X Factor judge Leona Lewis.