London ( CNN ) -- Art exhibitions do n't usually float on water but the CNM Estates Fine Art Sails regatta , which debuted this weekend on London 's River Thames , is no ordinary expose of contemporary culture . Part fine-art show , part boat-race , the three-day event saw 10 sailboats -- skippered by a host of Olympic and World Championship sailors -- take to the water bearing sails adorned with the work of some of Britain 's foremost modern artists . Monochrome prints of giant facial features , manic flocks of imposing seagulls and a menacing child with tribal war-paints comprised just a few of the surreal and arresting works on show during a snow-blanketed weekend in the UK capital . Organizers say the concept marks a first of its kind collaboration between art and top-class sailing and could soon be casting off at famous waterside locations around the world . See also : Inside the mind of a yachting cartoonist . `` This is the first time anyone has really tried to do this and the reaction has been quite amazing , '' said the founder of Fine Art Sails , Michael Ross . `` There is already interest in staging an event on the [ Moskva ] River in view of the Kremlin , '' he said , adding the possibility of others in San Francisco , Miami and on the Caspian Sea . Artists who contributed works to the riverside event -- which formed part of the week-long London Boat Show -- include the fashion duo Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto , portrait artist Christian Furr , as well as musician and actor , Goldie . As Fine Art Sails moves on to other locations , Ross hopes creatives of all disciplines and nationalities will be inspired to add their handiwork to the project . `` It 's a totally new way for artists to display their work , '' he explained . `` This event has given those involved the opportunity to try new things , display their art in a very public place and access to an audience they otherwise might not reach . '' Ross also makes a point of highlighting the artistic difficulties encountered in this new mode of exhibition . See also : World 's unluckiest boat bows out . Racing sails are generally made from Dacron , an ultra-lightweight cloth that differs greatly from some of the more the conventional materials artists use , such as canvas . The manner in which sails are designed to capture wind meanwhile ensures that any design , painting or print is constantly moving and changing shape when on the water , altering the appearance of the artwork in the process . According to British sculptor , David Begbie , who donated a print for the regatta entitled `` An Eye for the Buoys , '' tackling these unorthodox requirements was an enjoyable part of the creative process . `` The sails are a very rich concept for artists to work with and it has culminated in something of pretty majestic proportions , '' Begbie said . `` It 's a versatile and adaptable format [ which ] when you think about it is basically a new kind of art form . `` Most artists work in a rectangular format but this creates a totally new shape , '' he added . See also : Computer hackers conquer high seas . Begbie 's enthusiasm is shared by competing sailor and British Olympic gold medalist , Pippa Wilson . While unsure about the extent to which artistic sails can integrate into sailing at the very highest level -- where sails have to be as light as possible -- Wilson believes they can be a valuable asset in garnering the attention of a non-traditional sailing audience . `` This is something that has never been done before and hopefully it will add a little bit of culture to our sport , '' Said Wilson before taking to the water . `` I 've been so lucky to be involved in sailing since a young age and know how wonderful it can be , so if an event like this can grab people 's attention and get them involved then it will definitely have been worthwhile , '' she added .
The CNM Estates Fine Art Sails regatta debuted three-day at Britain 's Moskva ] River . Olympic and World Championship sailors took to the water bearing sails adorned with contemporary artwork . Organizers say the concept marks a first of its kind collaboration between art and top-class sailing .