Art Cat ASANTE
When
April 19, 2026
Location
Gdańsk
About the event
From a land-based exhibition to one at sea. Art Cat ASANTE opens a new chapter in the collaboration between TOP CHARITY and Sunreef Yachts
Art Cat ASANTE is not only a groundbreaking project at the intersection of art, luxury and philanthropy, but above all the next step in the long-standing collaboration between TOP CHARITY and Sunreef Yachts. It marks the moment when art moves beyond the traditional gallery space – from the Orangery of the Palace of King Jan III in Wilanów onto the water – creating a new paradigm in design, collecting and social impact.
The relationship with Sunreef Yachts began four years ago, with the company’s involvement in TOP CHARITY, the largest philanthropic initiative in Europe, founded by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska. Since then, the partnership has steadily evolved, bringing together the worlds of business, art and philanthropy. Art Cat ASANTE represents both its natural continuation and a transformative new phase.
In Gdańsk, Art Cat ASANTE was officially launched – the first Sunreef 80 catamaran in the brand’s history to function as a fully-fledged, floating art gallery with a philanthropic dimension. The project marks a breakthrough not only in yacht design, but also in the way luxury is understood: as a space that integrates art, investment and social impact.
ASANTE Art Cat Launch
A key element of this transformation is the expansion of the collaboration into the curatorial sphere. Omenaa Mensah, founder of OmenaArt Foundation, an ambassador of Africa in Europe and the creator of TOP CHARITY, takes on the role of aesthetic-artistic curator and advisor to Sunreef Yachts clients worldwide. Together with her foundation team and Phenomenaa Gallery, she is responsible for developing artistic concepts and selecting artworks for vessels commissioned by global investors and collectors.
Omenaa Mensah has developed her expertise in the art market in collaboration with institutions such as the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and Tate. As a result, art on board Sunreef vessels is no longer merely decorative, but becomes a consciously managed asset that enhances the overall value of each unit.
Omenaa Mensah
Art Cat ASANTE is the first project to implement this model in practice. On board, it features contemporary artworks created in collaboration with OmenaArt Foundation and Phenomenaa Gallery. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the vessel and the artworks will be allocated to charitable causes.
The project is a direct continuation of the TOP CHARITY Art exhibition presented at the Orangery of the Palace of King Jan III in Wilanów, where artists with strong market positions are also showcased. These include Amoako Boafo, whose works have reached prices of up to €3.1 million, Ewa Juszkiewicz, the highest-selling contemporary Polish artist (up to €1.4 million), and Ibrahim Mahama, named by ArtReview as one of the most influential contemporary artists.
„I am delighted to see this project come to life and am confident it will provide meaningful support for our charitable initiatives. We estimate that the sale of this exceptional asset could generate over one million PLN for philanthropic purposes. Personally, I believe much depends on who becomes its owner. I feel it will find its way to someone with a truly generous spirit, who will not treat it as an ordinary object. As a result, the final amount raised may be significantly higher. The art we have created together with my artistic team is a natural extension of the TOP CHARITY Art exhibition and reflects my curatorial approach, in which art is meant to reach the farthest corners of the world and have a tangible impact on people’s lives. The representation of artists – from Kwaku Yaro in Ghana, through Julius Katende in Uganda, to creators from India and Peru – gives this project a global dimension and completes the meaning of its name, rooted in the Asante culture. At the same time, it serves as a unique artistic culmination of our five-year journey” – says Omenaa Mensah.
Sunreef Yachts, founded over 20 years ago by Francis Lapp, is now one of the global leaders in the production of luxury catamarans. The company delivers its vessels to clients worldwide, including figures such as Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal and Fernando Alonso, highlighting Poland’s growing role as a hub of advanced yacht manufacturing.
„Art on board a yacht complements the space and sometimes defines the entire character of the vessel. Art Cat ASANTE is an aesthetic journey into regions very close to my heart, and a promise of an inspiring collaboration” – says Francis Lapp, CEO of Sunreef Yachts.
Art Cat ASANTE is not only an 80-foot luxury motor yacht, but also a new space for contemporary art. On board, a permanent exhibition of African and non-European artists is presented, including Kwaku Yaro, who creates multidimensional portraits from reclaimed materials; Ernestina Mansa Doku, who explores relationships between nature and form across different media and whose work is part of the award-winning Polish-Ghanaian pavilion of OmenaArt Foundation at the Malta Biennale; Raphael Adjetei Adjei Mayne, who combines traditional textiles and symbolism with a contemporary visual language; Kristie Arias, who redefines textile art in a global context; and Julius Katende, who creates interdisciplinary works exploring the relationship between humanity, nature and spirituality.
The name ASANTE refers to the culture of Ghana, from which Omenaa Mensah’s father originates, as well as to the historical heritage of the Asante Kingdom. At the same time, it embodies the idea of gratitude – “asante” means “thank you” in Swahili – highlighting the personal and intercultural dimension of the project.
For the first time on this scale, art leaves the gallery space and sets out on a journey, becoming a mobile, living exhibition. The project sets a new direction for the luxury market, where a yacht becomes a platform for collecting and investing in art – uniting luxury with meaningful social impact.
ASANTE Art Cat Launch