Fabio Salino has donated more than fifty pieces of jewellery with an estimated value of £2m to Art of Wishes, the charitable initiative founded by philanthropist Batia Ofer. Partnering with Sotheby’s, Salini’s jewellery will be auctioned in London on the 7 September 2022.
Art of Wishes brings together the international art community to raise funds for Make-A-Wish UK (MAWUK), the charity that grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Of this collaboration, Batia says, ‘I have always been a huge admirer of Fabio’s exquisite jewellery, and when he proposed this idea I was genuinely overwhelmed by his generosity. We know that when a child sees the seemingly impossible come true it empowers them with hope, so in making this donation, Fabio will not only help make the wishes of thousands of children come true, but also make a meaningful impact on their lives. I would like to thank him on behalf of Art of Wishes and Make-a-Wish UK and offer my sincerest gratitude for this truly transformative gesture.’
The collaboration between Salini, Art of Wishes and Sotheby’s came about as a consequence of the turmoil caused by the Covid pandemic, during which Salini found himself repeatedly questioning the role of art in times of crisis. He says: ‘My jewellery is an aesthetic expression of concepts and feelings and the events of the past three years made me think about how I could use these works to help others. I was searching for a greater purpose for my work and as such am delighted to make this donation in aid of Art of Wishes — it is a magnificent charity that seeks to deliver dreams and experiences to children who are going through very difficult times. What is the purpose of art if it cannot change lives?’
Intrigued from a young age by gemstones and minerals, Salini studied geology at the University off Rome, before working first at Cartier and then Bulgari. At each stage of his career development, he learned and nurtured a knowledge of design, gem- buying, production and retail. In 1999, he launched his own collection in Rome at Petochi, one of the oldest Italian jewellers.
Salini is well known for his exploration of materials, from rock crystal, straw, leather, shagreen, to titanium and matt black industrial carbon fibre. This perpetual experimentation is an illustration of his drive towards technical ingenuity, through which he can also express his conceptual, contemporary approach to the millennia-old art of jewellery design. In addition to his affinity for colour and love of gemstones, Salini has an instinctive understanding of line, form, composition, and structure, all of which shine through in the precision of his work.
Through cultural references, influences and inspirations — from tribal concepts through to
Art Deco and 1980s glamour — a sense of history underpins the forceful modernity of Salini’s jewellery. This is illustrated in his use of black carbon fibre alongside Victorian mourning jewels, linking the two thematically and visually together. Symbols and motifs often reccur in his work, including the knot, buckle and chain link. These evoke connections — the bonds and ties of possession — which can also be seen in the horseshoe nail and the cuff bangle, a tribute to the strength of modern femininity. Above all, what sets Salini’s work apart is his unremitting determination to innovate, to dare to be different and to re-ignite the audacious spirit of modernity that keeps the story of jewellery moving forward.
“Batia Ofer has long been a major force in the art world and, since the founding of her charity Art of Wishes in 2017, she has been a similarly strong force for good in the lives of countless children around the world. Batia is tireless in her efforts to help children with life-threatening illnesses, harnessing the power of art and all her boundless personal energies to make their dreams come true. Here, in this latest iteration of the Art for Wishes gala auction, she is joined by someone who is not only one of the world’s most distinctive jewellery designers, but who also shares her enormous generosity of spirit. Having donated over 50 signature pieces to the sale, Fabio Salini is, in Batia’s own words, ‘an extraordinary human being with a huge heart…. A true artist and visionary.’ We are thrilled to be working with them both to help realise their dreams, and – in the process – those of all children they seek to help.“
