Record-breaking painting raises double the amount it sought to secure following its royal unveiling in February 2021
Funds raised at the historical auction will be directed by Dubai Cares towards the initiative’s beneficiary partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, The Global Gift Foundation and Dubai Cares for programs aimed at empowering children most affected by COVID-19
Dubai, UAE, 23 March 2021: Surpassing all expectations and becoming a beacon of light for our world in darkness, “The Journey of Humanity”, Sacha Jafri’s ground-breaking painting created during COVID-19, has been sold for AED 227,757,000 (USD 62 million) – double the amount it aimed to raise in support of children around the world most affected by the pandemic. The painting was purchased by Andre Abdoune at a charity auction that took place at Atlantis, The Palm on 22 March 2021. Originally, the painting was to be sectioned into 70 lots but now thanks to its sale to Abdoune, it will be kept together for all of humanity.
“It was my dream in my life to do something amazing for my children, for my father. I talked with Sacha and I discovered the investment and love he put into this painting was so amazing. All my life I was aiming to help children. When I was a child, I had nothing to eat. Now I have something to eat. We all have to do something. Every dollar can mean something. If we do it together, we give hope to these children and their future. I would also like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is always keen to help children. The UAE shows us the way, we have to follow it. The impossible is possible. I want to say that this is just the first step for “Humanity Inspired,” said Andre Abdoune.
“The Journey of Humanity” is part of Sacha Jafri’s charitable initiative “Humanity Inspired” that was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in partnership with Dubai Cares and Atlantis, The Palm. The painting was created by Jafri at Atlantis, The Palm over a seven-month period, 20 hours a day.
“As an artist and a humanitarian for more than 25 years, this is a moment in my life; this is a moment for humanity. At the beginning of my “Humanity Inspired” initiative, I had a vision to reconnect our broken planet through the hearts, minds and souls of the children of the world. I feel in my heart that we have come one step closer to achieving this tonight, thanks to Andre,” said Sacha Jafri.
Two highly valued and sought-after collector pieces were also sold during the auction including the “Brushes Piece” – an artwork created by Jafri of the original brushes used in the creation of the record-breaking masterpiece as well as a framed piece, “Clothing Worn by the Artist” featuring clothing worn by the artist during the painstaking seven-month-long process inside the ballroom of Atlantis, The Palm during the lockdown.
“We are extremely proud of the milestone that “The Journey of Humanity” has reached today. This initiative by Sacha Jafri serves as a powerful testament to the strength of human collaboration and will always remind us of the beautiful outcomes we can achieve if we come together with a shared vision for a better world,” said Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and Member of its Board of Directors.
Dubai Cares will route the funds raised during the historical auction to “Humanity Inspired’s” beneficiary partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, The Global Gift Foundation and Dubai Cares for different programs aimed at addressing issues related to children’s digital access to connectivity and learning, as well as healthcare and sanitation.
Those interested in viewing select pieces from the record-breaking artwork can visit the Leila Heller Gallery, the largest in the UAE, located at Alserkal Avenue, Dubai.
About Dubai Cares
Since its inception in 2007, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been working towards providing children and youth in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programs that aim to be impactful, sustainable and scalable. To date, the UAE-based global philanthropic organization has successfully launched education programs reaching over 20 million beneficiaries in 60 developing countries.
Dubai Cares plays a key role in helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all, and promote lifelong learning by 2030, by supporting programs in early childhood development, access to quality primary and secondary education, technical and vocational education and training for youth as well as a particular focus on education in emergencies and protracted crises. Moreover, Dubai Cares adopts a strategic approach to improve student enrollment and learning outcomes through an integrated school health and nutrition model that is made up of school-based deworming activities, school feeding, and WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) in schools.
Dubai Cares is a member of the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN DGC), as well as a registered non-government organization under IACAD, the charitable activities regulator in Dubai. The UAE-based global philanthropic organization is authorized to raise funds through direct donations and fundraising campaigns, as well as process all, permit approvals with IACAD.
Volunteerism is a powerful tool to Dubai Cares in order to engage people in tackling development challenges. Dubai Cares rallies the UAE wider community through a large spectrum of volunteering and awareness initiatives that are linked to its global mandate.
To learn more, please visit www.Dubaicares.ae
