The Coral Collective, launched Thirty Six For Coral – a world-first exhibition and auction in support of ocean conservation with 36 world renowned artists including Vik Muniz, OSGEMEOS, Rocco Ritchie, Marc Quinn, RETNA, Jemima Kirke, Dustin Yellin, Charlotte Colbert, Walton Ford and more.
These artists joined a movement supported by Global Ambassadors HRH Princess Eugenie of York, Sienna Miller, Will Poulter, Rita Ora, Cara Delevingne, Georgia Fowler, Slash, and many high-profile names aiming to raise awareness and critical funding for coral reefs – one of the most critically endangered ecosystems on Earth.
Timed to coincide with the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in nearby Nice (9 – 13 June), the landmark exhibition – part of The Coral Collective, a bold initiative by ocean charity Project Zero – will run from 12-20 June at the iconic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera.
The exhibition opened with an invitation-only cocktail reception on 12th June, followed by public viewings of works that blend artistic brilliance with urgent environmental storytelling.
Artworks up for 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 will run from 28th May through 22nd June, with proceeds supporting coral reef protection and restoration efforts globally.
