Popular Post Askeroff 8,070 Posted September 19, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted September 19, 2022 Rocco Ritchie Explains His Artmaking Process We spoke to the artist about his alias, Rhed, and why he felt ready to come forward as Rocco in 2022 The British-American artist Rocco Ritchie, or Rhed, is described by his gallerist as “classically trained in fine art from the age of sixteen.” Rhed embarked on his academic path, studying between New York and London, providing him with his recognisable and distinct painting style. Drawing inspiration from the likes of the early 20th century expressionists, Rhed admires the lifestyle of an artist just as much as the art. After several years of schooling and participating in small, private exhibitions, Rocco has now gone on to establish his independence by co-founding his gallery Maison Rhed with two friends. He credits leaving New York as good motivation. “Moving to London had a huge effect on me. It was the perfect moment; I was shifting gears from a teenage boy to a young man and it pushed me to focus on my passion but to also get out of my comfort zone. I was fortunate enough to know what I wanted to do at a young age and once I had settled into art school, it kick-started my work.” Before he was discovered to be the artist Rhed himself, the public knew him not only as a second generation of a superstar but also as a sartorial enthusiast. In his eyes, clothing is the perfect way for the wearer to express who they are just like an artist would express themselves through their work. “I think clothing can be a projection of the artist and what they’re inspired by. The photographer Cecil Beaton is one of my biggest style icons and in the 1930s he produced some of the best aesthetic photography for both fashion and art. Salvador Dali was a fabulous painter and distinctively well-dressed. I’ve always tried to present myself to be more than just an artist, to be bold and make a statement, even when I’m not painting. It’s what brought me to wearing a suit, which is usually considered to be a mundane item of dress, but to know what goes on behind making it is where the art lies. It took a tailoring apprenticeship for me to find that out and I’ve got to tell you, I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who design and create clothes. In 2018, Rocco Ritchie enrolled at Central Saint Martins, where he studied fine art before moving on to the Royal Drawing School. He confesses that it has been a long learning process. Art requires time to soak in, and it cannot be mastered overnight. “It certainly helped growing up in a house that was passionate about art and culture. Neither of my parents are painters, but both are artists in their own right and they taught me to appreciate and respect it. Their shared fascination eventually piqued my interest and since I can remember I’ve always been surrounded by it.” Rhed is open about his influences, and much like his dress sense, he favours the past over the present. “My favourite artists are sadly all dead. In my opinion, the greatest art movement was probably in early 20th century Europe. The world had never seen such beautiful and contrasting work. But perhaps it is easier to be lost and distracted in this day and age and I wonder if that standard of art existed because of the dedication that was required to paint it. I enjoy modern art, and I feel it’s necessary to consume as much as you can, yet I’m rarely as inspired by it. I think to be a brilliant painter requires discipline, much like a musician or an athlete, you’ve got to earn it.” Rhed currently paints from his studio in West London. Earlier in May, Maison Rhed curated their first solo exhibition which he says took a year to produce. “The process behind my work is constantly changing because I’m constantly learning. I figured I’d embrace my inconsistencies rather than resent them. I think when you start being too sure of yourself and too certain about your work then the progress stops, and when it came to the exhibition, I had already prepared for the criticism, that’ll always be one inevitability that never disappears.” Rocco Ritchie’s journey as an artist started under the name of Rhed; a topic which caused a stir this year when it was revealed that he chose to paint under an alias instead of his real name. What was the reason for debuting anonymously? “Rhed is just a name. The only real meaning and importance of that were so my life and my career weren’t confusing each other, especially at a point where I haven’t earned the title yet. It’s not that I don’t feel proud to be who I am, on the contrary, I couldn’t be prouder of my parents and what they’ve achieved and in turn taught me. I just needed enough time to develop and experience my own lessons just like they did, without the extreme public judgement. Rhed was a mask until it wasn’t.” As for his plans over the next few years, and if he is having another show? “I’m not in a rush, currently taking everything one step at a time. I am head down in the studio, working on commissions, tackling new things and getting better at old things. I’ll think about shows later.” Photographer: Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca @ De Facto Inc Stylist: David Nolan @ Monday Artists Text: Monica Ng Art Director: Jack O’Donnell Digital Tech : Alex Cornes Talent: Rocco Ritchie READ NEXT Ziploc, Levon, Jeronimo Trebien and 9 others 10 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanBlue 591 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Oh, I see the artistry of painting shirtless... Well, September is the month of Madonna kids' projects: first Lola songs, now Rocco paintings... Who's next ? David ? Ziploc, blondeboy, Inco and 3 others 3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Andymad 10,303 Posted September 19, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted September 19, 2022 damn Enrico, Levon, Blondie and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subversive 1,105 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Miau Levon and Andymad 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Askeroff 8,070 Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 Love the photoshoot love his reasoning No M name mention he seems to be very cool ,intelligent and good looking guy Ziploc, Frank, Rebel Hugo and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Rope 5,932 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Damn Madonna has great genes. That is one good looking man right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassy24 991 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Pootz333, blondeboy, Andymad and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalinstinct 2,041 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 When did Rocco get hot?! 🔥 Levon and Velvet Rope 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymad 10,303 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 32 minutes ago, Wuthering Heights said: Damn Madonna has great genes. That is one good looking man right there. She does have some great genes. But let’s not forget how handsome his father was when Madonna and him started boning 🍆 Ziploc, Levon, Rebel Hugo and 2 others 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
androiduser 2,390 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 47 minutes ago, Wuthering Heights said: Damn Madonna has great genes. That is one good looking man right there. he literally looks exactly like his father, zero Madonna except for the (lack of) height 50ft Queenie, Levon, Polaris and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymad 10,303 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 1 minute ago, androiduser said: he literally looks exactly like his father, zero Madonna except for the (lack of) height I do see a lot of his father for sure. But I’ve noticed with both Lola and Rocco, I think they have Madonna’s eyes, lips and eyebrows. Lola does have dark eyes but that gaze, I can see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMads 5,488 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Rocco definitely a handsome chap Ziploc, 50ft Queenie, Velvet Rope and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
androiduser 2,390 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Andymad said: I do see a lot of his father for sure. But I’ve noticed with both Lola and Rocco, I think they have Madonna’s eyes, lips and eyebrows. Lola does have dark eyes but that gaze, I can see it. I don't think Lola has M's eyes at all, they look like Carlos Leon's eyes, dark and going downwards on the sides, Madonna's eyes are tilted slightly upwards Rocco also has his father's eyes, not M's. Rocco's and Guy's eyes have heavy upper eyelids, partly covering the eyes, M's eyes are much more open Jeronimo Trebien and Levon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunkBySix 547 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Am I the only one who is sick of hearing about Madge's children? Ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie 8,016 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Where is the link to his only fans? Andymad, Andreo, 50ft Queenie and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piksel8 619 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 2 hours ago, Andymad said: She does have some great genes. But let’s not forget how handsome his father was when Madonna and him started boning 🍆 I was gonna say, Guy Ritchie was actually hot back in the late 90s and Rocco definitely has taken many of his features. Lola has a lot more from Madonna for sure Jackie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberrage 395 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Ew. Not earnt this yet imo. Starchild 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Jean 15,091 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 It’s really nice to hear his thoughts and hear him speak so sweetly about both his parents Enrico, 50ft Queenie and Velvet Rope 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Jean 15,091 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 2 hours ago, Piksel8 said: I was gonna say, Guy Ritchie was actually hot back in the late 90s and Rocco definitely has taken many of his features. Lola has a lot more from Madonna for sure He also reminds me of a young Chris Ciccone at times. Levon, Jackie and Enrico 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enrico 15,786 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 I don't like his style but I've been following him for quite some time, he looks smart... and so sexy. 50ft Queenie, Levon and Velvet Rope 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
into the erotico 971 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 posing posing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starchild 3,062 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 12 hours ago, DrunkBySix said: Am I the only one who is sick of hearing about Madge's children? Ugh. Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starchild 3,062 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 13 hours ago, androiduser said: he literally looks exactly like his father, zero Madonna except for the (lack of) height He definitely has the Ciccone heart-shaped face. His bone structure is similar to a young Christopher's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starchild 3,062 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Some of my fellow gays are so easily aroused. Levon and Velvet Rope 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongIslandTea 1,584 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 13 hours ago, Andymad said: She does have some great genes. But let’s not forget how handsome his father was when Madonna and him started boning 🍆 Not to forget Guy Ritchie has a big 🍆 I wonder if Rocco got his father's gene MattyMads, Velvet Rope and Levon 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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