World’s largest art canvas raises Dh227m for Covid-hit kids in Dubai

The world’s largest art canvas, The Journey of Humanity, made by Sacha Jafri has been sold for a whopping Dh227.75 million ($62 million) at an auction in Dubai.

The British contemporary artist had been working on this back-breaking masterpiece at Atlantis, Khaleej Times reports,

The Palm for most of last year and was hoping to cut the painting into 70 pieces and sell at six auctions in different countries over nine months. The Journey of Humanity took about eight months, 20 hours each day for Jafri to complete. The final piece is over 17,000 square-foot in size, which is equivalent to two football fields put together.

The plan was to raise Dh110 million to support children and youth around the world affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, but he achieved one of art world’s greatest feats in one night by selling it in entirety at its maiden auction in Dubai on Monday. The painting was bought by Andre Abdoune, chief executive of Altius Gestion International Holding.

“I was moved by the work, dedication of Sacha Jafri, and the whole intention of helping children across the world through the money raised by this painting. If the $62 million that I have spent on this painting can help and bring smile to even one child, I will consider this investment a success. The Covid pandemic cannot take away our children; they need our help. We need projects like this, and we need more people to invest in our children's dreams,” said Andre Abdoune.