Sacha Jafri

Words: José Berrocoso

British artist and philanthropist Sacha Jafri has officially set the Guinness World Records™ title for ‘The Largest Art Canvas’ in the world, with his painting ‘The Journey of Humanity’. Scaling over 17,000 square feet (17,176.6 square feet), Guinness World Records™ confirmed. Sacha, one of the most celebrated artists of our time, has been able to reach more than 2.5 billion people worldwide through this single piece of art which took seven months, 20 hours a day, to complete. He used 1,065 paint brushes and a whopping 6,300 litres of paint to create the extraordinary painting. Sacha Jafri’s record-breaking painting, ‘The Journey of Humanity’, now described as ‘The ModernDay Sistine Chapel’, is part of his charitable initiative ‘Humanity Inspired’, supported by over 100 A-list celebrities, was launched under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence in partnership with Dubai Cares, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and Atlantis, The Palm. Considered the largest worldwide social, artistic and philanthropic initiative in history, the painting was created in Atlantis, The Palm’s ballroom, which was converted into the artist’s studio, where Sacha spent a period of 28 weeks from March to September 2020 during the lockdown.

Sacha Jafri comments on his world record and his brave initiative, “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’ is much more than a painting, it is my initiative for true societal change through the hearts, minds & 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 (on four hours sleep) for seven months continuously, creating a painting of over 17,000 square feet on his own, imagine what 7.5 billion people could do together if we stopped the nonsense of discrimination, judgement and agenda. One World, One Soul, One Planet’.”

“The Largest Art Canvas is a record that we accepted by Sacha” said Shaddy Gaad – Senior Marketing Manager (MENA) at Guinness World Records. “We are confident that the humanitarian cause behind the achievement is one that will inspire people. We congratulate him and those involved in this extraordinary achievement and we are happy to declare them as Officially Amazing™.”

Now widely recognised as one of the world’s most influential artists, the British painter has raised just over US$60 million from the sale of his work over the last 18 years, for the most deserving and notable of charitable causes, campaigns and foundations. Jafri was the youngest artist to history (at 42yrs) to be offered an 18 year Retrospective World Tour, (visiting 30 cities in 24 countries in all five continents of the world), with his work having been showcased in the most prominent art Institutions across the globe. Jafri's work now regularly sells for between $2-4 million USD, with his ‘Virat Kohli Painting’ (officially celebrating the career of India’s greatest ever Cricket Captain) becoming the most expensive Sporting Painting ever sold by a Living Artist when it sold at auction in London for £2.9million GBPounds ($4.5million USD).

Jafri’s collectors include such heavy weights as: The UAE Ruling Family, The British Royal Family, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Paul McCartney, HRH Prince William (The Duke of Cambridge), David Beckham, Eva Longoria or Bill Gates amongst many others.

54 MAY 2020

by travel-expert José Berrocoso

www.zannierhotels.com

The story of Zannier Hotels Omaanda can be read like another sequel in an epic story of unbelievable journeys. It is the story of an encounter between Arnaud Zannier, founder of Zannier Hotels, and actress Angelina Jolie. When she came across another property of the group in Cambodia, she was blown away and recounted to its creator the existence of another place lying in a glorious natural setting that should be preserved and cherished in the same way that had been done in the Cambodian resort. Jolie spoke to the hotelier about the incredible work of a friend of her with the N/A’an ku sê foundation, involved in the reintroduction and protection of the Namibian wildlife. Curious about this country he did not know, Arnaud decided to visit Namibia. He immediately fell in love with the beauty of the landscapes and decided to establish there to share with conscious guests the emotion he felt at that time.