The Queen of the Corals

The Queen of the Corals is an underwater sculpture that embodies the deep relationship between humanity and the ocean. It represents a sleeping female figure, resting among corals — a symbol of quiet strength and interconnectedness. This work emerged during the artist’s time on the island of Ustica, where he witnessed firsthand the bleaching of coral due to rising sea temperatures. Corals are fragile but vital; they serve as ecosystems of life in the ocean’s desert and protect coastlines from erosion and storms. Their survival is not only a biological concern but a deeply human one. This sculpture merges coral and human form to suggest an organic, inseparable bond between the two. Galbiati chose a female figure to evoke a regenerative, listeningbased energy — feminine and inclusive. In her stillness, The Queen of the Corals becomes an allegory for our potential to reimagine our relationship with nature — not as conquerors, but as part of it. The work is a call to feel, to slow down, and to reconnect with the rhythms and wisdom of the underwater world.