Art in Motion: A Journey of Discovery Through the Explora Journeys Contemporary Art at Sea Collection
Art is an integral part of the Explora Journeys experience—carefully curated to inspire discovery, evoke emotion and deepen guests' connection to the world around them. From contemporary sculpture and painting to thought-provoking works on paper and site-specific installations, the collection reflects the brand's philosophy of transformative luxury ocean travel. Like the Journeys themselves, each artwork invites a moment of curiosity, reflection and personal interpretation, creating an ever-evolving cultural experience at sea.
On board every Explora Journeys ship, art is encountered much as a destination is discovered: gradually, intuitively and often unexpectedly. Rather than existing as a standalone collection, the artworks are woven into the fabric of life on board, creating moments of beauty and contemplation throughout the Journey.
Curated with genuine emotional connection by the Aponte-Vago family, the art collection reflects Explora Journeys' commitment to thoughtful design, cultural enrichment and meaningful experiences. Each piece has been selected not only for its artistic significance but also for its ability to shape atmosphere, encourage reflection and inspire conversation.
This approach is evident across the fleet. Art is not confined to galleries or dedicated spaces. Instead, it unfolds throughout the ships, accompanying guests as they move from suites and lounges to restaurants and social spaces. The result is a living collection that continuously reveals itself, rewarding repeated encounters and fresh perspectives.
Among the artists whose work has become synonymous with the Explora Journeys aesthetic is Swiss sculptor Yves Dana, whose sculptures feature across EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA III. Created in bronze and stone, his forms possess a timeless quality, recalling ancient artefacts, shields or ceremonial objects while remaining deliberately abstract. Their quiet strength and elemental presence bring a sense of permanence and grounding to the fluid environment of life at sea.
Alongside Dana's sculptures, the works of Nena Woreth introduce a softer, more atmospheric dimension. Through delicate layers, fluid forms and subtle tonal variations, her compositions evoke light, landscapes and natural elements without explicitly depicting them. Together, Dana and Woreth create a compelling artistic dialogue—one informed not only by their distinct practices but also by their shared life as creative partners. Installed throughout the ship, their works invite guests to slow down and engage in a more contemplative way of seeing.
A spirit of cultural discovery continues throughout the collection. In Sakura, Clarissa Parish's luminous works reinterpret traditional Japanese landscapes through the use of gold and silver leaf, creating pieces that feel immersive, serene and deeply connected to place. Elsewhere, the celebrated Robert Indiana brings a bold note of human emotion and connection to the Explora Lounge through his iconic Book of Love, a work whose message remains as relevant today as when it was first conceived.
Within every suite across the fleet, guests encounter Phil Shaw's Narrative Library, a series that transforms familiar book titles into imaginative visual narratives. At once playful and introspective, the works encourage personal interpretation and serve as a reminder that every journey—whether literary or maritime—begins with curiosity. Present aboard EXPLORA I, EXPLORA II and EXPLORA III, the series has become one of the collection's most recognisable signatures.
The collection aboard EXPLORA III introduces additional contemporary voices that further enrich the experience. In Anthology, Antonio Ballester Moreno's Blue Red brings warmth and harmony through simple forms and expressive colour, while in the Journeys Lounge, Park Jieun's dynamic compositions capture the rhythm and movement of contemporary life. At the heart of the ship's Galleria d'Arte, Jonathan Monk's Mao x Salvo offers a thought-provoking exploration of art history and cultural symbolism, creating an engaging focal point for guests with an interest in contemporary art.
Together, these works create more than a collection. They establish a rhythm of discovery that mirrors the essence of Explora Journeys itself. Every corridor, lounge, suite and gathering space becomes an opportunity to encounter a new perspective, a different emotion or an unexpected connection.
Just as each destination reveals its character over time, so too does the art collection. It invites guests to pause, reflect and engage more deeply with their surroundings—transforming the simple act of moving through the ship into a cultural journey in its own right. In this way, art aboard Explora Journeys is not merely something to admire; it is something to experience.
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