In a dazzling showcase of innovation and artistic prowess, the 20th-anniversary edition of the AUTOR Contemporary Jewellery Fair unfolded with sixty cutting-edge designers from around the globe converging in the heart of Bucharest’s cobbled Old Town. The May 6-7 event, hosted in a historic period building, the Oscar Maugsch Palace – Romanian Commercial Bank, served as a captivating platform for the convergence of diverse inspirations and materials in the realm of contemporary jewelry.
This extraordinary gathering witnessed the participation of designers hailing from various corners of the world, including Chile, USA, Spain, Italy, the UK, Greece, Argentina, Turkey, Venezuela, Moldova and Romania. Each exhibitor had earned the privilege to showcase their work through a meticulous pre-selection process conducted by an esteemed international expert panel.
The AUTOR fair became a melting pot of creativity, featuring eclectic designs that drew inspiration from an array of sources, ranging from dreams and childhood concerns to the nuances of home life and sensory experiences.
Materials used were also varied, comprising everything from silver, stainless steel and brass to reinforced coloured paper, resin and pigments.
Buyers were mainly Romanian collectors and jewellery aficionados looking to express their own personalisation. Many of the designers were delighted to take bespoke orders.
During the fair I met Ines Bonadeo, from Buenos Aires, who had travelled further than anyone else to be present at the show, and launched a new silver jewellery collection, called “Tenaz”, reflecting the impact of nature on life around us. Please see the interview with Ines @jewelleryoutlook on Instagram.
Other designers included Inca Starzinsky, whose jewellery included pieces inspired by her children’s thoughts; Deelyn Walsh, inspired by architecture and sculpture; Italian artist Fabiana Fusco, who says her inspiration includes the home, dreams and gender equality; and Romanian designer Cleopatra Cosulet, who has a very personal design inspiration, and crafts her pieces using resin and pigment. Exhibitors included a Rotterdam-based online gallerist, Diana Iordache from the www.thesenseofbeauty.com, presenting their clients’ pieces. Interviews with these designers can be found on @jewelleryoutlook Instagram.
Article written by journalist David Brought of the London publication www.jewelleryoutlook.com
