The world’s largest canvas painting has been sold for $62M at a charity auction in Dubai | Dinogo

Spanning over 17,000 square feet, 'The Journey of Humanity' is roughly the size of four full NBA basketball courts.

British artist Sacha Jafri created this masterpiece to raise funds for children impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of his Humanity Inspired initiative, the auction proceeds will benefit UNICEF, UNESCO, The Global Gift Foundation, and Dubai Cares to support programs focused on children’s education, health, sanitation, and digital connectivity. Jafri called the sale 'a moment for humanity' in a press release from Dubai Cares.

'At the start of my 'Humanity Inspired' initiative, I envisioned reconnecting our fractured world through the hearts, minds, and souls of children everywhere,' he said. 'I truly believe, in my heart, that we’ve taken a significant step towards that goal tonight, thanks to Andre.'

A record-breaking achievement

The artwork has earned the Guinness World Record for the largest art canvas ever created. It was painted in a ballroom at the Atlantis The Palm hotel in Dubai, where Jafri was staying when the UAE imposed lockdowns to curb the spread of Covid-19 last year.

'I was stuck in Dubai and wanted to create something meaningful, something with purpose,' he told Dinogo last year, before finishing the artwork. 'Something that could potentially make a significant impact.'

Taking seven months to complete, the painting incorporates abstract brushstrokes and drip painting in a style Jafri calls 'magical realism.' The canvas is divided into four interconnected sections, each representing different elements: the first symbolizes 'the soul of the Earth,' while the others evoke nature, humanity, and the vast universe, Jafri explained.

The artist, who attended the prestigious British boarding school Eton alongside Prince William, also invited children worldwide to contribute their artwork, reflecting the themes of connection, separation, and isolation during the pandemic. These submissions were printed and incorporated into the vast canvas.

'I asked children from all corners of the world to send their artwork – to express how they feel, their emotions,' he explained last year. 'As adults, we find this challenging. The past five months have been tough, confusing, frustrating, and frightening. But imagine how a 4-year-old must feel.'

Abdoune, the new owner of the artwork, commented in a press statement that the 'investment and love' Jafri poured into the painting was 'truly remarkable.'

'I’ve always wanted to help children,' he said. 'When I was a child, I had nothing to eat. Now, I have food. We all need to do our part.'

Some sections of the artwork are currently on display at Jafri’s career retrospective at the Leila Heller Gallery in Dubai.

Top image: Sacha Jafri at the opening of his exhibition at the Leila Heller Gallery in Dubai, February 2021.