WAVES art initiative for the oceans is a non-profit association founded by interdisciplinary Swiss artist and sailor Anthony Bannwart in February 2019.

The sea has inspired many artists, writers, poets, dancers and filmmakers. Humanity has been benefitting from the sea for centuries. But we shouldn’t forget to give back to the sea and keep it alive. The goal of the association is to bring awareness to how art can be a medium to give back to the sea, by acting towards environmental predicament in and beyond water.

As a nomadic gallery, WAVES art initiative for the oceans is an ode to the sea with curated artworks for sale, of which proceeds are donated to a chosen foundation pertaining to the preservation of water, oceans and seas. The association wish to support for example other organisations which through the development of innovative solutions fights plastic pollution for example, cleaning beaches, and oceans, or donating artworks as honorary prizes to ‘real heroes’ with art donations. The association also endorses a chosen foundation throughout a certain period with public relations and multi-media coverage whenever possible.

Each year, WAVES art initiative for the oceans acknowledges an award donation to mark the current exhibition. The past WAVES AWARD series of artworks, such as the bronze sculpture of a wave in motion detail, for example, were created and donated by Anthony Bannwart. The covid pandemic reduced all efforts of the WAVES exhibitions and 2022 marks the return of the program with exhibitions and the award.