Record-breaking UAE painting to raise digital access funds

A record-breaking canvas painting by a Dubai-based British artist will be auctioned to raise funds for global digital equality.

Dubai Cares under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, UNESCO and UNICEF, have joined together to launch "Humanity Inspired".

The initiative aims to raise AED 110 million from the sale in December to fund digital access for disadvantaged young people.

Sacha Jafri has been working on the canvas that's the size of two football pitches from his base at the Atlantis Palm Resort since June.

More than 100 celebrities have endorsed the project including Deepak Chopra, Rita Ora, Antonio Banderas, Shilpa Shetty and Nile Rodgers.

The campaign supports the Global Gift Foundation's key projects to promote children's education and wellbeing, with a special focus on helping those most affected by COVID-19.

The canvas will be displayed in the UAE's most prominent landmarks along with some of the world's leading museums before being divided into 60 sections for the auction.

The initiative is also reaching out to hundreds of millions of children around the world by inviting them to submit their drawings, photographs and paintings through the website.