The South African-born Australian artist—known for his hyperrealistic miniature figures set against abstract, textured backdrops—has unveiled three original pieces inspired by aquatic sports, including the headline work “Fish In Water”. A recreational swimmer himself, Bronkhorst brings both technical precision and emotional insight into the athletic experience. Much of his work focuses on the world of sport.
“I’m here at the World Aquatics Championships working on this artwork, which I’m naming Fish In Water,” Bronkhorst said during a live painting session. “It features eight of the best swimmers competing here today, and I can’t wait to complete it.”
“Fish In Water” is on auction until the 14th August, with proceeds going to the newly launched World Aquatics Foundation, introduced during the World Aquatics Congress held during the Championships. The auction is hosted online at airauctioneer.com/world-aquatics-auction (or the QR link below).
The piece celebrates the sport of swimming and was created in collaboration with fans, who voted on social media to select the eight athletes featured in the painting. The final lineup includes:
- Thomas CECCON (ITA)
- Kyle CHALMERS (AUS)
- Katie LEDECKY (USA)
- Leon MARCHAND (FRA)
- Summer MCINTOSH (CAN)
- Kaylee MCKEOWN (AUS)
- QIN Haiyang (CHN)
- Gretchen WALSH (USA)
* Listed in alphabetical order, by last name
All eight athletes signed the back of the canvas, adding an exclusive touch of authenticity. The final brushstrokes were completed during a live session near the training pool on August 2.
In addition to Fish In Water, Bronkhorst revealed two other major contributions at the Championships:
Stay Wet
A richly textured homage to all aquatic disciplines, Stay Wet features twelve miniature athletes depicted mid-motion in a grid of stylized blue swimming pools. The work spans swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving. This piece will remain part of the World Aquatics’ permanent collection.
12 Miniature Award Canvases
Twelve handcrafted 15×15 cm canvases were also created to honor outstanding athletes across six aquatic sports. Each pair is going to be awarded to top performers in:
- Water Polo – Miniature players mid-game.
- High Diving – Showcasing the breathtaking free-fall of elite divers.
- Artistic Swimming – Graceful, synchronized movement in the water.
- Diving – Dynamic mid-dive compositions capturing form and focus.
- Open Water Swimming – Inspired by the rhythm of long-distance racing.
- Swimming – Highlighting the speed, strength, and emotion of the sport.
These individual artworks reflect Bronkhorst’s signature style, blending realism and abstraction to celebrate the grace, power, and unity of the aquatic world.
With this collaboration, World Aquatics brings a vibrant cultural dimension to the Championships—celebrating not only athletic excellence but also the art, emotion, and human stories behind the sport. By involving fans in the creative process through social media voting and live art sessions, the Championships have become a shared experience that connects the global aquatic community in new and meaningful ways.
Werner Bronkhorst is a contemporary visual artist whose motto, “The Whole World’s a Canvas, We’re Just Walking in It,” reflects his immersive, movement-focused approach to visual storytelling. Working exclusively with willow charcoal and soft white pastels, Bronkhorst has built a reputation for freezing moments of intensity and emotion in sport—this latest collaboration marking one of his most interactive works to date.
Learn more on wernerbronkhorst.com
The World Aquatics Foundation was created to address key global challenges in aquatic sports, water safety, and environmental sustainability. By focusing on the development of athletes, education on water safety, and the protection of water resources, the Foundation ensures that aquatic sports can thrive while making a positive impact on communities and the environment. Supporting the future of aquatic sports and water safety, the World Aquatics Foundation focuses on four key objectives: 1) athlete development, 2) water safety and drowning prevention, 3) environmental projects and initiatives, and 4) the global development of aquatic sports.
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