Surpassing all expectations, “The Journey of Humanity”, Sacha Jafri’s ground-breaking painting created during Covid-19, has been sold for AED227,757,000 ($62 million) – double the amount it aimed to raise in support of children around the world most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The painting was purchased by Andre Abdoune, chief executive of Altius Gestion International Holding, at a charity auction that took place at Atlantis, The Palm on March 22. 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 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 the 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 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 the beneficiary partners of “Humanity Inspired”, 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.