AkzoNobel Coatings Used in Attempt to Create Largest Painting on Canvas
AMSTERDAM — Celebrated artist Sacha Jafri is attempting to create the largest painting ever created on canvas, and he’s using AkzoNobel’s Dulux products to paint his way into the record books.
Jafri’s Humanity Inspired project – which aims to raise $30 million for charitable causes within health and education and connect a billion people around the world – involves creating a painting 160 meters long (larger than two soccer pitches laid end-to-end). He’s been in lockdown at Atlantis, the Palm, in Dubai since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, where his ambitious artwork, entitled The Journey of Humanity, is being created.
But he isn’t doing it alone. He’s invited children around the world to send in drawings themed around isolation and connection, which he’ll paste into circular portals inside his mammoth painting. They’ll 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.”
Dubai Cares, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Global Gift Foundation charity are supporting Jafri’s project. He also has the backing of 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 – dubbed 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.
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