Rocco Ritchie has joined a movement to save the ocean, specifically coral reefs which are one of the most endangered ecosystems. Rocco – son of Madonna and Guy Ritchie – recently donated one of his paintings to an exhibition held in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera, aimed at raising awareness and much-needed funds for coral reefs around the world.
The two-week exhibition – Thirty Six for Coral – included stunning pieces from 36 world-renowned artists. A selection of artworks were auctioned live during a glamorous soirée at the iconic Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat on Friday.
The remaining art pieces are being auctioned online here. The auction ends in less than 36 hours! A chance to own a stunning piece of art, and help save the ocean.
Rocco’s piece is called ‘Veiled Christ‘. It’s an oil on canvas, 55 x 55cm, and the starting bid is 15,000 euros. (Bid here.)
At only 24, Rocco has already established himself in the art world as a talent with which to be reckoned. He studied at Central Saint Martins, the Royal Drawing School in London, and the New York Art League (according to Whitewall).
In December Rocco made headlines with an exhibition in Paris, The Tourist. (He speaks French with an amazing accent thanks to being schooled at London’s Lycee Francais). The exhibit featured paintings Rocco created, based on paparazzi photos that had haunted him as a teenager.
For Thirty Six for Coral, Rocco’s painting is this time “a study of Giuseppe Sanmartino’s original work. It forms part of a series exploring the intersection of painting and sculpture, aiming to bring a more three-dimensional, sculptural feel to the painted surface.”
The landmark Thirty Six for Coral exhibition and auction is part of an initiative by ocean charity Project Zero, called The Coral Collective.
The initiative came about following a request from the United Nations-backed Global Fund for Coral Reefs, and is supported by Princess Eugenie who was at the exhibition opening. Other high-profile global ambassadors include Sienna Miller, Slash (from Guns ‘n Roses), Will Poulter, Cara Delevingne, Georgia Fowler, Rita Ora and many more.
The organisers describe the art works as blending “artistic brilliance with urgent environmental storytelling”.
Other artworks in the auction to save coral reefs
The artworks on auction include a pioneering carbon sink sculpture medium titled Heart of Okeanos by British-Italian artist Petroc Sesti, inspired by coral’s natural ability to capture and store carbon. By combining eco-friendly concrete with carbon capture crystals, Sesti has created a pioneering material that permanently locks away CO2 in solid form – a first for the art world.
Also featured is Medusa’s Blood by Henrietta Armstrong, a striking large-scale work inspired by ancient Mediterranean coral charms and the myth of Medusa. Glowing in vivid reds and pinks, the piece serves as both a protective talisman and a tribute to the fragile beauty of coral reefs – at once shrine, symbol, and lament for an ecosystem under threat.
The full online auction is live at coralcollective.basta.app and all proceeds will go to supporting coral reef protection and restoration efforts globally.
