Artist Marcos Antonio is helping humanity to create its own work of art. He is traveling to 192 countries to capture handprints of people from all walks of life to create the largest painting on canvas in the world. He is calling this artwork “Impressions of Humanity.” The ultimate goal of “Impressions of Humanity” is to get approximately one million handprints on 960 panels measuring 5 feet x 9 feet. The aim is to give a voice to people worldwide through participation in this work. The total time for completion will be over several years. The plan is to get 5,300 handprints per country. Every person who participates will have their palm painted in acrylic and transferred to canvas. Simultaneously, the moment shall be captured with a photograph to commemorate the event.
The poor and affluent, the famous and infamous, people of different religious backgrounds, people from across the political spectrum, and people facing a variety of challenges from every corner of the world will be represented. This will be a snapshot of people around the world as we live today. A goal for this artistic endeavor is to highlight and celebrate the commonalities among people around the world by sharing panels of colorful handprints designed to travel on an on-going basis to museums and other public locations around the world. Another goal is to raise awareness of humanitarian concerns. Marcos will partner with organizations worldwide to generate funds benefiting worthy causes.
This ambitious project is already underway. Marcos has travelled to various countries where thousands of handprint impressions have been placed on canvas. The results are beautiful. The participants truly enjoy the experience. Projects have been completed in the following destinations: Dominican Republic (2009), Mexico (2009), Cuba (2009), Panama (2010), Guatemala (2010), Ghana, Benin and Togo (February-March 2010), Colombia (2010), Puerto Rico (2010) Peru (2010), Costa Rica (2011). During these travels, Marcos has experienced the full range of the human condition. His artistic journey is real life drama, including action packed adventure, heart rending tragedy and even moments of hilarity. Each country visited has different cultures, customs and cuisines. Some countries are stable, some are politically charged and some are dangerous.
Out of 11 countries visited he has suffered food poisoning, and illnesses that have landed him in the emergency room three times. He has escape imprisonment in one country and death in another.
Once the project is finished, the 960 panels of impressions of humanity will be a foundation. The Canvases will not be for sale. They will be Marco’s gift to Humanity thru the foundation.
Impressions of Humanity provides the opportunity for people worldwide, no matter their religious affiliation, financial status, or background, to participate in this work of art.
Impressions of Humanity‘s canvas is reflecting new countries and is growing everyday because of our many volunteers. People around the world have shared thousands of hours of their time and contributed through financial donations.
To support us by donating financially click here.
To support us by volunteering, click here.
We plan to have representative handprints from every country on Earth. As you can see, we have visited many countries, but we are always looking ahead to the next location and to exiting new experiences and interesting people. If you have any ideas, or suggestions regarding our future travels, please share them with us.
