Sacha Jafri
EducationEaton College
Oxford University
Known forPainting
Notable workJourney of Humanity (2020)
Websitesachajafri.com

Sacha Jafri (born January 3, 1977, in United Kingdom)[1] is a British artist known for creating the world's largest painting on canvas, Journey of Humanity (as recognised by Guinness World Records) over seven months in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Dubai.[2] In 2021, it sold for US$62 million the third highest price ever paid for a work of art by a living artist.

Early life

Sacha Jafri was born in England and is descended from the royal lineage of the Nawab of Awadh.[3] His mother is of French decent and his father was a diplomat who served as Pakistan's ambassador to the Vatican.[4] His grandfather Fareed S. Jafri was appointed editor of Dawn newspaper by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the 1950s, and was later appointed Pakistan's High Commissioner to Nigeria in 1968.[5][6] Jafri attended Eton College. In 2000 he obtained his master's degree in Fine Arts from Oxford University.[7][8]

Career

Jafri generally works outside the art gallery system, donates many of his works and or proceeds from them to charity efforts, and numbers among his collectors Barack Obama, members of the British royal family, Sir Richard Branson, Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, Madonna, David Beckham, George Clooney and Eva Longoria.[9][10][11]

Prince Charles commissioned Jafri to do portraits of the "14 most influential living Muslims" for his Mosaic initiative. He has also been appointed a resident artist by the 21st Century leaders charity.[12] In 2014, he created the cover art for Silver Rails, the final studio album by musician Jack Bruce.[13]

Journey of Humanity

In 2021, Jafri's Journey of Humanity painting sold at auction in Dubai for 228 million Dirham ($62 million US), the third highest auction price ever paid for a work of art by a living artist, behind Jeff Koons's Rabbit ($91.1 million US), and David Hockney's Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) ($90 million US).

The painting measures over 17,000 sq ft (1,600 m2) and incorporates the artwork of children from more than 140 nations. The artwork was purchased by French crypto businessman Andre Abdoune. Jafri donated the proceeds from the sale to children's charities.[14][15][2]

References

  1. ↑ "Sacha Jafri | Artnet". www.artnet.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 "British artist sells world's largest painting The Journey of Humanity for $62m". the Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  3. ↑ Menon, Lekha (6 June 2017). "'I Feel India is still Searching for its Real Identity' : Sacha Jafri". Masala. My dad's family hails from the Allahabad Maharaja's dynasty
  4. ↑ D'souza, Cecilia (26 October 2020). "The record-breaking artist based in Dubai who's making a big impact". Emirates Woman. Retrieved 24 July 2023. his great-great-grandfather, a maharaja of India and his father, the first Muslim ambassador to the Vatican
  5. ↑ "Resurgence & Ecologist - Resurgence, Vol 3 No 7 - Jul/Aug 1971". reader.exacteditions.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023. Then, quite suddenly, I was called back and appointed High Commissioner to Nigeria!
  6. ↑ "Meet the artist chosen to place the first official artwork on the moon". The Week. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. ↑ London, Luxury (4 March 2019). "Sacha Jafri: The High Society Painter Collected by Barack Obama | Art | Culture". Luxury London. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Stuck in Dubai, artist Sacha Jafri reaches out to the world in a 'Journey of Humanity'". fridaymagazine.ae. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "A Cryptocurrency Entrepreneur Just Bought the World's Largest Painting, by Artist Sacha Jafri, for a Whopping $62 Million". Artnet News. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. ↑ "How Sacha Jafri is painting a brighter future for children". South China Morning Post. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "At home with Sacha Jafri".
  12. ↑ "Man with a commission". The National. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "Jack Bruce Talks New Album, the Cream Reunion That Wasn't". Rolling Stone. 16 April 2014.
  14. ↑ Oscar Holland. "World's largest canvas painting fetches $62M at Dubai charity auction". CNN. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  15. ↑ Greenberger, Alex (23 March 2021). "World's Largest Painting Sells for $62 M. at Dubai Auction". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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