British artist, Sacha Jafri is in the process of creating the world’s largest canvas, in an effort to raise more than $30 million for children’s charities. The artwork is being painted in a ballroom at Dubai’s luxury Atlantis resort.
Jafri will be incorporating contributions from children around the world into the work and plans to auction it off in 60 sections. “Children do not have the tools to deal with what they’re going through right now. I wanted to put a call out to the children of the world, to basically give them a chance to express themselves emotionally,” said Jafri.
The piece, titled “The Journey of Humanity”, will measure just under 2,000 square metres when it is completed and benefit UNICEF, UNESCO, Global Gift Foundation, and Dubai Cares in an example of creative fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The canvas, which will tour the UAE, has required over six months of work with 1,200 gallons of paint and 1,000 brushes. The artist said he would use philanthropic connections cultivated over 25 years to try to raise more than $30 million at a time when the coronavirus has devastated the global economy.
“We pray and we hope that’s going to be the case. And if not, whatever comes is so welcome. At this moment anything helps truly. We had to cancel all our galas this year. We had to create new ways to fundraise,” added Maria Bravo of the Global Gift Foundation.
