Qatar sets Guinness World Record with largest canvas painting

Qatar added yet another Guinness World Record to its credit Wednesday when the Ministry of Culture revealed the largest painting on canvas - equalling to the dimension of a football ground or 9,652sq m - by artist Imad Salehi. The event at Qatar University football stadium was attended by HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, HE the Minister of State and Qatar National Library president Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari and other dignitaries.
The record was adjudicated by Shaddy Gaad, senior marketing manager, Mena region of Guinness World Records.
Gaad said: “The previous record for the largest artwork on canvass was 1,595.76sq m set by Sasha Jaffrey in 2020. This painting measures 9,652sq m, which is the new Guinness World Record for the largest canvas painting.”
Speaking to Gulf Times, Salehi said: “It took me over five months to complete the painting. I used about 3,000 litres of paint and 150 brushes. I used to work around 14 to 18 hours a day. This whole idea started with the ball story which is the history of the World Cup.”
“I took it as a challenge and wanted to present it for Guinness World Record to coincide with the World Cup here in Qatar. I mixed it with Arabic culture with other cultures. When you explore the painting you can see the history of football. I have painted more than10,000 figures on the entire canvas,” he stressed.
Sheikh Faisal commented: "It is a great pleasure for me to witness this important event and Al Faisal Holding is among the supporters of this event. The huge piece of art by artist Salehi, expresses the close relationship between art, culture and sport, all of which would unite people and bring them closer to each other. I also take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Culture for its remarkable efforts in supporting artists with creative ideas that would enrich the cultural and artistic scene in Qatar.”
Maryam Yassin al-Hammadi, director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture added: "We salute the creative artist, Imad Salehi, and the Ministry of Culture is proud of the existence of competitive international initiatives in which everyone contributes. This is not the first time that culture-related records have been set up, either directly or indirectly. This record coincides with Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup and aims to unite the world through art and sports.”