What makes a Giampaolo Babetto piece recognisable?
First of all, the simple design: I hate overly ornamental objects. I am inspired by the architecture of my homeland, by Palladio’s villas, and by the geometries in which I find poetry. I also think my jewellery is innovative in concept, different from what you find in most shop windows.
Do you remember the first piece of jewellery you created?
I do, it was a gold and enamel brooch, with a pattern that resembled the sea. It was 1965, and I gave it to my mother as a token for all the small jewels she had given me for my first experiments. We didn’t have much money and had to make the most of what we had.
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Why did you choose to be a jewellery maker?
I was studying at the Art Institute and realised that I liked to work with my hands. So I decided to take a course in goldsmithing. Ironically, a few years later my teacher became headmaster, and asked me to take his place. I taught for over 15 years.
What do you love most about your profession?
Everything. I identify myself with the jewellery I create. Every time it’s a new challenge, because I know that what I create must be a living object, not just something sitting in a window, and it has to appear even more beautiful when worn around a woman’s neck, her wrist or her fingers.