Art&Act Featuring: Sacha Jafri, a Dalí of Our Time

Sacha Jafri

Beyond L’art Pour L’art: An Artist on a Mission

Sacha Jafri is not just an artist. He is a star on the global art scene and a true visionary of contemporary art. His work goes far beyond aesthetics—it is a mission, a calling. He is the present king of magical realism. He is a Dalí of our time.

His monumental paintings draw global attention and sell for enormous sums, yet he donates most of this money to humanitarian causes. Born in the UK to a Pakistani father and a French mother, Jafri uses his multicultural background and his platform to raise awareness of urgent social issues around the world. His brush is not only a tool of expression, but of empathy, action, and change.

We are living in a time of fascinations. It's been a long time since artists stayed hidden in their ateliers, only showing up at the opening of their exhibitions. Today, artists are performers—Marina Abramović is one of the most iconic examples. Their art is no longer l’art pour l’art; it has become a call for change, a space for dialogue, and a trigger for new initiatives. Sacha Jafri is one of these modern artists. He moves with the tide. He explores, he communicates, he acts.

Sacha earned global fame in 2020 during the pandemic when he created the largest canvas in the world, composed of drawings made by children from 140 countries. He called it The Journey of Humanity. Through this work, Sacha responded to a global crisis with his art and creativity, showing deep concern during one of the hardest times in recent history. His artistic vision carried a human purpose, making him an artist who not only creates but also thinks—an artist aware of the time he lives in. This project was his answer to what was happening in the world, and it launched him into the orbit of the global art scene. Since then, he has continued on the same path—spreading his vision of art and humanity.

More recently, in April 2025, Jafri hosted Sadhguru in Dubai for a live performance titled “Energy Realized.” While Sadhguru spoke on stage, Jafri painted in a trance-like state, channeling his energy onto canvas in real time. It was more than a performance—it was a spiritual moment, a merging of two worlds: word and color, silence and movement, energy and form.

He lives for art and the excitement it brings. He doesn’t just see colors—he feels them. He often touches the canvas with his hands to connect deeply with his inner self. He communicates through his art, and listens to the sound of his paintings. As a dyslexic child, he discovered a whole new world through art—a brave, expressive space where words were no longer a barrier. He paints quickly, following the spark of the moment, capturing the raw energy of creativity as it happens.

Sacha Jafri believes in the soul of art. For him, creativity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity, a bridge to higher awareness. His work is a reminder that the artist today is not just a creator of images, but a messenger, a connector, and sometimes, a healer. Artist is always on a mission - and so is Jafri!

Text: Ana S. Gad

Photo: Sacha Jafri Instagram

Video: Arab News / EMysticGuru