FISH IN WATER

160 x 120 cm
Acrylic and acrylic gel on canvas

‘Fish In Water’ offers a top-down view of a competition pool, its surface rendered in textured aqua-blue strokes, punctuated by bold lane ropes in blue and white. Within the lanes, eight meticulously hand-painted miniatures depict some of the most iconic swimmers of our time — each captured mid-stroke in their signature discipline.

The featured athletes, left to right, are: Kaylee McKeown (Backstroke), Qin Haiyang (Breaststroke), Katie Ledecky (Freestyle), Léon Marchand (Butterfly), Summer McIntosh (Breaststroke), Kyle Chalmers (Freestyle), Gretchen Walsh (Butterfly), and Thomas Ceccon (Backstroke).

Léon Marchand and Summer McIntosh were selected through a global fan poll on social media, and their miniatures were completed live during the Swimming events at the World Aquatics Championships.

Celebrating both global talent and audience participation, this piece merges bold abstraction with miniature precision, honouring the spirit, speed, and shared excitement of world-class swimming.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Werner Bronkhorst b. 2001

Werner Bronkhorst is a South African artist known for his
vibrant, textured style and dynamic compositions. His work
combines acrylic gel layering and expressive brushwork
with miniature detailing to reflect movement, passion, and
depth, making him a standout voice in modern sports art.