Artist Sacha Jafri is attempting to create the largest painting ever created on canvas for its Humanity Inspired project and he is using AkzoNobel's Dulux paints.
Jafri's Humanity Inspired project, which aims to raise $30 million for charitable causes within health and education, consist in creating a 160 meters long painting (larger than two soccer pitches laid end-to-end). For this project, the artist is using AkzoNobel's Dulux products.
He started his artwork, entitled The Journey of Humanity, when he was in lockdown for the COVID-19 outbreak, at Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai, asking children around the world to send him drawings themed around isolation and connection.
These drawings, which Jafri will paste into circular portals inside his painting, will act as windows intended to lead us to a better tomorrow, as seen through the eyes of our children.
"We've always believed that paint has the power to transform people's lives and this is a fantastic way for us to support an amazing initiative through our global 'Let's Colour' program," said Stephanie Kraneveld, Global Marketing Communications Manager Paints. "The Humanity Inspired project aligns perfectly with our own commitment to inspiring communities through color and we're delighted to have an exclusive partnership with such a visionary and exciting artist."
"My initiative, Humanity Inspired, aims to be a catalyst for true societal change through the heihearts, minds and souls of the children of the world - a springboard for a better future for all humanity. I aim to connect the world and re-connect humanity to ourselves, each other and ultimately the soul of the Earth. I'm delighted to have the support of Dulux and AkzoNobel in this record-breaking project, which has been called the 'largest artistic, social and philanthropic initiative in history", added Sacha Jafri.
Jafri's project is being supported by Dubai Cares, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Global Gift Foundation Charity, and backed by the UAE government.
Once the work is completed, the canvas will be split into 60 individually framed, numbered, signed and catalogued artwork pieces and sold via an online charity auction.
Jafri - called "The Pioneer of Magical Realism" - is one of our most celebrated living artists, whose work is owned by the likes of Barack Obama, Bill Gates, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and
Madonna.
The program AkzoNobel's global "Let's Colour" was launched in 2009. More than 2.000 projects have been completed to date, bringing positive benefits to well over 68 million people.