Don’t call him a nepo baby. Madonna’s son is shaking up the art world, fast becoming the creative to watch on Instagram and IRL
Rocco Ritchie, the son of pop icon Madonna and filmmaker Guy Ritchie, is establishing himself as one of the most intriguing new voices in the Gen Z art scene.
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While some may have expected him to step into the spotlight in typical ‘nepo baby’ fashion, Ritchie has instead forged his own path, embracing painting and live performance art to make bold statements on identity, media, and self-expression.
Rocco Ritchie’s recent Paris exhibition, The Tourist, backed by Giorgio Armani and curated by Jessica Draper, showcased his distinctive approach, attracting an eclectic mix of art insiders and cultural influencers. Here’s why he’s the Gen Z creative to watch right now.
Turning the Lens Around: Art as a Dialogue with the Media
Rocco Ritchie’s work investigates complex themes surrounding fame, privacy, and the media, which are closely tied to his own upbringing. From a young age, his life was extensively documented by paparazzi and the press, yet now he’s reclaiming that narrative and channelling it into his art.
His recent ephemeral exhibition in Paris on 26 October, aptly titled The Tourist, presented paintings that explore the distinction between a person and their public persona, highlighting a sense of alienation. By reappropriating photographs of himself taken by intrusive paparazzi during his teenage years and transforming them into paintings, Ritchie bestows these images with a new, personal significance.
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Drawing inspiration from artists like Richard Hamilton and Gerhard Richter, Rocco Ritchie creates a style that seeks to immortalise fleeting images from mass media by blending public and private moments, all while playing on themes of separation and unity.
His latest works, shown in Paris, merge candid childhood photos from media archives and family moments into layered, abstract paintings that evoke both nostalgia and critique. The result is an intimate and thought-provoking body of work, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationship with media and self-image.
As noted by Vogue France, one of this show’s most compelling aspects was “the tension between the alienation that comes with being the child of two megastars, depriving him of certain freedoms in daily life, and how he found safe spaces—with the support of family, friends, or mentors in the art world—that shaped his identity.”
A Multidisciplinary Approach: Rocco Ritchie’s First Live Performance in Milan
In November 2023, Rocco Ritchie brought his art to life in a daring performance that blurred the line between painting, dance, and theatre as he closed the Unveiled exhibition by photographers Luigi & Iango at the Palazzo Reale in Milan.
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Set in the luxurious Appartamento dei Principi, this live piece opened with model Lynley Eilers, a striking redhead, seated in a dimly lit room illuminated by candles.
As an orchestra played Ravel’s Boléro, Ritchie, dressed in black, approached Eilers with a paintbrush in hand and started painting her body in fluid, expressive gestures. Eilers was far from a passive canvas; she moved with Ritchie, creating a captivating exchange of energy and emotion between the artist and the model.
Describing the performance as “a dance between two beings,” Ritchie entranced an intimate audience that included luminaries like Marina Abramović, Roberto Bolle, and his own family, with Madonna herself applauding from the front row.
This collaboration, a fusion of live painting and performance art, underscored his belief that art should be felt as well as seen, inviting spectators to immerse themselves in the moment.
The Real Reason Everyone’s Obsessed with Rocco Ritchie’s Instagram Right Now
It’s not just his IRL exhibits and performances that make Rocco Ritchie an artist to watch; following him on Instagram is just as worthwhile. His feed goes beyond simply showcasing his latest projects or listing upcoming events; it offers a glimpse into his creative process. You’ll find behind-the-scenes moments, snapshots from his exhibition, and hints about his evolving style.
His posts capture raw, unfiltered insights into his artistic journey, reflecting both his influences and unique perspective. In an era where social media often prioritises polished, curated images, Rocco Ritchie’s feed stands out for its refreshing authenticity, offering a real-time look at an artist as he discovers his voice.
His recent exhibition in Paris has only heightened global interest in his work and, naturally, his Instagram. Collaborative posts with accounts like Giorgio Armani’s official profile and Vogue France have boosted his following, which now exceeds 150,000. Yet Ritchie seems less focused on fame than on connection, using his art to explore universal questions of identity, media, and the blurred line between public and private self.
A Gen Z Creative, Not a ‘Creator’
Rocco Ritchie goes beyond the typical ‘nepo baby’ label and is not your average ‘creator’ either. Although we are fascinated by his Instagram presence, he’s a true artist whose work exists IRL. Distancing himself He sets himself apart from many Gen Z creators known for fast-paced digital content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, his work takes a more introspective approach.
@voguefrance « Ma voix passe par la peinture ». En utilisant des photos de lui prises par des paparazzi, qui l'ont hanté pendant son adolescence, et en les transformant en peintures, Rocco Ritchie se réapproprie son identité, en incorporant ces moments volés dans son art. Son exposition « The Tourist », qui a été présentée ce dimanche à Paris au #78Temple et qui est soutenue par #Armani, explore son expérience d'une éducation singulière et unique. La tension entre l'aliénation due au fait d'être le fils de deux méga stars, le privant de certains aspects de la liberté dans la vie quotidienne et vivant « dans l'ombre » des autres, et la façon dont il a trouvé des espaces sûrs, avec l'aide de sa famille, de ses amis ou de personnes de l'industrie artistique, qui ont forgé sa personnalité, est particulièrement intéressante dans cette exposition. Cet endroit est sa propre voix dans le monde et il nous a fait visiter quatre des pièces les plus significatives de l'exposition. #RoccoRitchie #privatetour #voguefrance #art #artexhibition ♬ son original - Vogue France
Unlike the instant gratification offered by social media, Ritchie’s art encourages viewers to reflect, inviting viewers to look beyond the surface and consider the nuanced, sometimes contradictory nature of self-identity. In an era when personal images are often curated for public consumption, his work serves as a reminder that authenticity and vulnerability are powerful tools in art.
The Future of a Rising Star
Rocco Ritchie has carved out a space for himself in the art world on his own terms. His work resonates with a generation that is increasingly aware of how media influences personal identity. Through his performances, he showcases his commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. By reinterpreting the public images of his life, as seen in his Paris exhibition, Ritchie not only subverts the paparazzi’s role in his narrative but also reclaims part of his history.
As he continues to grow and experiment, one thing is clear: Rocco Ritchie is not just known as ‘Madonna’s son’ but is emerging as an artist in his own right. Through bold live performances and intimate exhibitions, he is proving to be an exciting and original voice in the Gen Z art world—one that is definitely worth following.
Angelo Ruggeri
Journalist, Master’s Programme Tutor & Fashion Styling Course Leader, Milan