British Artist Sets Guinness Record for Largest Canvas

Artist Sacha Jafri standing on his gigantic painting
Artist Sacha Jafri standing on his gigantic painting
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British Artist Sets Guinness Record for Largest Canvas

Artist Sacha Jafri standing on his gigantic painting
Artist Sacha Jafri standing on his gigantic painting

British painter Sacha Jafri has officially set a Guinness World Record for "The Largest Art Canvas" in the world. Measuring over 17,000 square feet, the record-breaking painting is titled "The Journey of Humanity."

According to information shared on February 15, the painting is one of the world's largest social, artistic, and philanthropic initiatives. It is part of the charitable initiative "Humanity Inspired" launched by Sacha Jafri in partnership with Dubai Cares, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and supported by the UAE Ministries of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Education.

"Humanity Inspired" aimed at raising $30 million to support underprivileged children and youth worst-hit by the virus outbreak in the poorest regions around the globe. The British artist created his massive canvas inside the ballroom of Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, within seven months from March to September 2020, while the world was in total lockdown to curb the Covid-19 outbreak. Spending almost 20 hours a day, Sacha used 1,065 paintbrushes and 6,300 liters of paint to complete the extraordinary painting.

Jafri reached over 2.5 billion people around the world through his canvas described as the modern-day Sistine Chapel ceiling, the historic work signed by Michelangelo.

"It was an honor to receive the Guinness World Record title for my project. This is just the beginning for the "Humanity Inspired". The painting and the initiative are much more than just creative work; it is my initiative for true societal change through the hearts, minds, and souls of the children around the world — a springboard for a better future for all Humanity," Jafri said.

"If one person can spend 20 hours a day with only four hours of sleep for seven months to create a painting of over 17,000 square feet, imagine what 7.5 billion people could do together if we stopped discrimination, judgment, and agenda. Our goal is One World, One Soul, One Planet," the artist added.

"Creating the Largest Art Canvas is an impressive achievement by Jafri. We are confident that the humanitarian cause behind it will inspire many around the world. We congratulate him and those involved in this extraordinary work," said Shaddy Gaad, senior marketing manager (MENA) at Guinness World Records.

The monumental painting was later broken down into numbered, signed, cataloged, and framed canvases. A total of 70 individually framed pieces of the artwork will be sold in four auctions in 2021. The raised funds will be donated for charitable initiatives in education, digital connectivity, healthcare, and other fields.

Artist Sasha Jafri inspired his initiative "Humanity Inspired" from his vision to strengthen ties between people in order to achieve a more aware and compassionate post-Covid19 world, and from his commitment to support the future of education, and to provide financial resources and support for health care issues and infrastructure projects in the poorest regions around the world.



Gales Lash Greece, Disrupting Ferry Services

A kiteboarder performs a jump during a windy day in Agios Nikolaos Artemida, east of Athens, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A kiteboarder performs a jump during a windy day in Agios Nikolaos Artemida, east of Athens, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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Gales Lash Greece, Disrupting Ferry Services

A kiteboarder performs a jump during a windy day in Agios Nikolaos Artemida, east of Athens, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
A kiteboarder performs a jump during a windy day in Agios Nikolaos Artemida, east of Athens, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Gale-force winds lashed Greece on Friday, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of summer travelers as authorities ordered ferries to port and fears of forest fires grew.

After an emergency meeting, the civil protection ministry said wind gusts will reach 88 kilometers (54 miles) an hour, especially in the southern Aegean and Sea of Crete.

Ports near Athens have been shut to ferry traffic to all but the nearest islands, affecting travel for tens of thousands of tourists, AFP reported.

The Athens National Observatory in a statement warned there was a "very high potential for wind-driven forest fires", particularly in the east and south of the country.

The mayor of Athens on Thursday also shut down the National Garden after a tree fell in one of the capital's busiest high streets, narrowly missing shoppers.