A group of 18 internationally acclaimed artists have created works that are inspired by the wishes of children fighting life-threatening conditions to raise money for children’s charity Make-A-Wish® Foundation. The Art of Wishes Fundraising Gala will be held at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Monday 2 October 2017 on the eve of the Frieze Art Fair. The artists’ works will be part of an online silent auction, which will take place alongside the evening event.

An exclusive preview of all the specially commissioned works will be held at London’s Serpentine Gallery on Sunday 1 October 2017. Works are live at online auction site Artsy from today - at The Art Wishes Benefit Auction.

Tracey Emin has donated three works which were inspired by six-year-old Grace’s wish “ to go on holiday in Wales with her pony”; Gillian Wearing’s work “Me as Margot” shows a dancer which she made in response to eighteen-year-old Amy’s wish “to be a ballerina’; Joshua Raz’s painting responds to nine-year-old Oakley’s wish “ to see the Northern Lights”; and Eddie Martinez’s work was inspired by sixteen-year-old Dylan’s wish “to go skydiving”. Other wishes which have inspired the artists include “being a Ninja Princess”, “swimming like a mermaid somewhere warm”, “being an astronaut”, “training as a Jedi “and “having an exhibition of my own paintings”.

The artists who have donated their works: Oliver Beer, Stefan Brüggemann, Brian Calvin, Dan Colen, Mat Collishaw, Thomas Demand, Tracey Emin, Jan Frank, Idris Khan, Michael Landy, Eddie Martinez, Polly Morgan, Victoria Morton, Angel Otero, Rob Pruitt, Joshua Raz, John Giorno and Gillian Wearing.

Those attending the event at the Dorchester include some of the world’s leading collectors, gallerists and artists. Auctioneer Henry Wyndham will also conduct a live auction.

International galleries supporting the event include Gagosian Gallery, Thomas Dane Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, Maureen Paley, Thaddaeus Ropac, White Cube, Sprueth Magers, Victoria Miro, Blain Southern, Nahmad Contemporary, Sadie Coles, Massimo di Carlo, Almine Rech, Lehmann Maupin, Timothy Taylor as well as Phillips, Sotheby’s, & Christie’s auction houses.

Cartier, the renowned French jeweller and watchmaker, is the sole partner of the event.

The Art of Wishes event is the brainchild of London-based art collector, philanthropist and Patron of Make-A-Wish UK, Batia Ofer.  Make-A-Wish UK was founded in 1986 and has supported more than 11,000 children with life-threatening conditions by helping to make their dreams come true.

Over the years, Make-A-Wish has been able to draw on the goodwill of big names from the worlds of sport, politics, fashion and music, including Justin Bieber, Beyonce, Barack Obama, Lionel Messi, His Holiness the Pope, Katy Perry, and Jenson Button. However, this is the first time that the titans of the art world have mobilised in support of the charity.

Tracey Emin, CBE said: “I contribute to many charities, but the ‘Make a Wish' is very different. It is so touching and simple and works on so many levels. Everyone has a wish and so many people can facilitate those wishes. A few years ago a teenage girl made a wish to come and work for me at the studio, but she never made it. Sadly she passed away just before, but I know she was looking forward to it and I know wishes give hope.”

Batia Ofer, Patron for Make-A-Wish UK and Chair of the event said: “I know what a difference Make-A-Wish makes because I have seen it so many times first hand, but I am still completely overwhelmed by the way both the artists and the art world have responded so warmly. This is unprecedented collaboration between auction houses and galleries.”

Jason Suckley, Chief Executive of Make-A-Wish UK, said: “We are enormously grateful to Batia for her vision of Art Inspired by Wishes and for the passion she has shown to make this vision a reality. Wishes tap into the imagination of children. They provide hope, strength and happiness regardless of what the future holds.  The Art of Wishes creates a connection between the dreams of the child and the creativity of the artist. The results are truly inspiring. Furthermore, the event, and the money it will raise, will assist our ambition of granting more than 1000 wishes in the UK this year.”