Doha, 8 December 2022 - HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated the world's largest painting on canvas, which was completed by artist Imad Salehi in the presence of a number of dignitaries, artists, and media personnel, in addition to the representative of the Guinness World Records.
The work, called 'The Story of a Ball,' achieved a new record in the Guinness Book of Records, making this creative work the largest painting in the world to enter the 'Guinness Book' with an area of 9652 square meters, the size of a football field. It was inspired by the history, symbols, and characters of the World Cup since its inception in 1930 until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The representative of the Guinness Book of Records Shadi Jad announced at the inauguration ceremony that the painting 'The Story of a Ball' officially entered the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest painting on canvas, surpassing the previous record. Artist Imad Salehi was handed a Guinness Book of Records certificate.
On this occasion, HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani said that the Ministry of Culture spares no effort to highlight the works of creators and support distinguished works of art. He added that the painting is an embodiment of the great global event that Qatar is witnessing, and that the celebration of Arab artistry affirms what HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said, the World Cup 2022 is for all Arabs.
For his part, HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari praised, in an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the success associated with the name of Qatar, pointing out that the painting, 'The Story of a Ball,' reflects the State of Qatar's successful World Cup organization to the world, indicating will and clear vision.
The artist Imad Salehi faced great difficulty in thinking about the form, content, and presentation of the painting. However, through his presence in Qatar and his sense of the Qatari experience, he succeeded, confirming that success comes with perseverance. In order to succeed, one must have vision, patience, and a strong will to overcome difficulties. All these values were available to the artist Salehi. What has been achieved is only the beginning of the great success that Qatar has achieved, HE said.
In a similar statement to QNA, HE Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Faisal Holding Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani affirmed that the success of the artwork 'The Story of a Ball' in achieving a new record on the Guinness Book of Records is the biggest evidence of the contribution of all individuals, institutions, Qataris and residents, in and outside the country in supporting the Qatari experience. This painting, which entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest painting on canvas, was completed in Qatar on the occasion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Its value is expected to increase daily, as it represents great work, for which the owner of the idea and those in charge of its implementation are appreciated. This work is part of the many achievements that Qatar presented to the world and will remain throughout history.
Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi said in her statement to QNA that the painting 'The Story of a Ball' obtaining a Guinness Book of Records certificate as the largest painting on canvas is an important event that combines sports, culture, and art. It also reflects the diversity of cultures through the artists own experience through the diverse images he presented in the painting, which in turn reflects the diversity of the sports and cultural milieu. The artist presented many faces that contribute to documenting this stage, adding that the record-breaking achieved by the painting is linked to the competitive spirit, as the challenge leading someone for the better.
During the Director of the Department of Culture and Arts' speech at the inauguration ceremony presented by journalist Nasser Al Maliki, she explained that this is not the first time that new records related to the culture have been recorded, directly or indirectly. Previously, the Ministry of Culture has participated in the world's largest painting that records children's wishes in celebration of International Children's Day, where the number of cards reached 5,000, launched at the Cultural Village (Katara).
Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi added that in December 2018, coinciding with the celebration of the National Day, the Police College pavilion in Darb Al-Saai witnessed the inauguration of the world's largest mosaic board, consisting of colored wooden pieces entitled 'Promise 2022.' On Qatar's 2017 National Day, the largest printed poster of an image of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani entered the Guinness Book of Records for the largest number of participants in coloring a painting, as 13,828 people from Qatar -residents and visitors of various nationalities- participated in coloring it, with a difference of 11,185 participants from the number registered in the encyclopedia, which has been 2,643 participants.
In November 2010, Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) broke the world record by sewing the largest sports shirt of its kind in the world, and displayed it in a large ceremony in Aspire Park, with a length of 72.2 meters and a width of 48.7 meters, Al Hammadi said, pointing out that the shirt was designed in coordination with the Guinness Book of Records, with the aim of supporting the Qatari bid to host the World Cup. All of these initiatives are related to the state institutions' interest in working and competing for records, in addition to the inspiration emanating from them to show their great potential and capabilities to the world, she added.
With this painting, the artist Emad Salehi contributes to breaking a new world record that coincides with the organization of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the State of Qatar, she said, calling on creators in all sectors for more targeted initiatives.
For his part, Shadi Jad, who is an official judge in the Guinness Book of Records, said that he was trained by the Guinness Book of Records to judge and award Guinness World Records titles. Today, as we announce the results of recording the largest painting, after having insured that all standard guidelines are followed, it is my pleasure to say that they have been achieved.
He pointed out that there is an existing record achieved by the artist Sacha Jafri with a painting measuring 1,595.76 square meters in 2020, announcing that the artist Emad Salehi achieved a total number of 9,652 square meters, and that he holds the new title in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest painting, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Jad continued.
In a statement on this occasion, Director of Qatar University's (QU) Sports Affairs Department Asma Al Nuaimi said that with great pride and honor, QU is pleased to celebrate with the Ministry of Culture the inauguration of the largest sports art painting in the world, coinciding with the activities of the 2022 World Cup in the State of Qatar. QU is a major participant in the country's efforts to make the World Cup a success, she said, expressing the university's delight to hold this sporting and cultural activity at its stadium to achieve a new record, in addition to the great achievements made by the university in many fields.
For his part, the artist Emad Salehi said in a an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA): we celebrate the implementation of the largest artwork of the largest painting on canvas, which tells the history of the World Cup from its inception in 1930 until the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, adding that the artwork monitors the changing forms of balls and distinctive players at each stage of the World Cup.
Salehi said that the idea took more than a year, while its implementation took five months, and continuous working hours ranged from 14 to 18 hours a day, noting that 3,000 liters of pigment and 150 paintbrushes were used, and that the painting is presented to show the world Qatar's features that are seen in all stages of the tournament.
The theme of the painting is cultural and artistic, and merging Arab and Eastern cultures in a work sends a global cultural message, and reflects a historical legacy that presents our culture to the world, he added.
The artist, Emad Salehi extended thanks to the Ministry of Culture for its continuous support for the piece of work, as well as Al Faisal Holding Company and Adnan International Corporation, and everyone who participated or contributed to the presentation of this work.
