At Atlantis the Palm, British-born Dubai-based artist Sacha Jafri has been working on what will be the world’s largest canvas painting at 160 metres long upon completion, with the aim to earn the Guinness World Record title of ‘largest social, artistic and philanthropic project to ever be created’.

Titled ‘The Journey of Humanity’, the project is expected to raise $25 million (Dhs91.8 million) for children’s educational resources, as well as hospitals and healthcare workers in the UAE and around the world. The initiative is a collaboration with UNICEF and the Global Gift Foundation charity, supported by the UAE government.

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According to Sacha’s Instagram, he began painting on Saturday, 16 May in the hotel ballroom, working 20 hours a day to finish the piece in 12 weeks. It’ll be larger than the size of two football pitches and fill up two large ballrooms at the Atlantis.

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The canvas painting is divided into four sections, symbolizing the soul of the earth, nature, humanity and the solar system. To help fill the canvas, the artist has reached out to children aged 3-18  to send in their works of art surrounding the themes of isolation and connection.

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Along with artworks from children, the canvas will feature over 300 layers of paint. Upon completion, it’ll be split into 60 individually framed, named, numbered and signed pieces for an online auction that’s expected to raise over $30 million that will go towards saving ’10 million child lives’.

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On 13 July, the artist updated his followers on Instagram, allowing them a look at “the next stage of my painting, it’s the solar system, reminding us of how small we are.” On 22 July, he posted images of his tribute to the UAE’s mission to Mars, as a part of the solar system section of his painting, which he created in the wake of the country’s Hope Probe launch on 20 July.

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To get involved, visit Humanity-inspired.com; Cover image credit: @sachajafri