The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Announces 30 Finalists

The Spanish luxury house Loewe has just announced the 30 artists shortlisted for this year’s Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, an annual award that celebrates contemporary craft in all its forms. Founded in 1846, Loewe established the prize in 2016 as a means to remain true to its heritage as a collective craft workshop.

Using a diverse array of techniques and materials, ranging from handwoven silk tapestries to cutting-edge glassware and bowls crafted with Korean ottchil lacquer, the finalists, who come from 18 countries, make up some of the most skilled craftspeople working today and reveal an exciting new energy in the genre.

Xavier Toubes, Cabeza Bicho and Cloud with Handles, 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Loewe Foundation

Tobias Møhl, Denmark, Black Twill Collection, 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Loewe Foundation

While only in its fourth year, the prize is making an impact at a time when the desirability of handmade works is higher than it has been for decades. “Craft is the essence of Loewe,” says creative director Jonathan Anderson, who is an avid collector of ceramics. “As a house, we are about craft in the purest sense of the word. That is where our modernity lies, and it will always be relevant.”

Takayuki Sakiyama, Chōtō: Listening to the Waves, 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Loewe Foundation

To judge the more than 2,920 submissions received, a panel of ten experts recently convened in Madrid for two days to review the work, which will be on display at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris from May 21 to July 12. The chair of the jury, Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, commented that this year’s prize is more international than ever and showcases both young and established makers “embracing and reinvigorating tradition in surprising and masterful ways.” She also noted that the themes “reflect the state of the world.”

Other esteemed judges include architect Patricia Urquiola, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs Olivier Gabet, curator of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Naoto Fukasawa; former director of London’s Design Museum Deyan Sudjic, and Japanese sculptor Genta Ishizuka, who was awarded the Loewe Craft Prize in 2019.

Recommended: Loewe Foundation Awards Genta Ishizuka the 2019 Craft Prize

Anthony Marsh, Like Water Uphill (from Crucible Series), 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Loewe Foundation

Kohei Ukai, Fusion 19-07, 2019. Photo: Courtesy of Loewe Foundation

The selected finalists for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2020 are:

Afsaneh Modiramani (Iran)

Anthony Marsh (United States)

Bodil Manz (Denmark)

Carla Garcia Durlan (Spain)

Darshana Raja (Kenya)

David Corvalán (Chile)

Despo Sophocleous (Canada)

Edu Tarín (Germany)

Fanglu Lin (China)

Hyejeong Kim (Republic of Korea)

Jack Doherty (Ireland)

Jess Tolbert (United States)

Jessica Loughlin (Australia)

Jiyong Lee (United States)

Joël Andrianomearisoa (Madagascar)

Kevin Grey (United Kingdom)

Kohei Ukai (Japan)

Kyeok Kim (Republic of Korea)

Marc Ricourt (France)

Naama Haneman (Israel)

Peter Bauhuis (Germany)

Sukkeun Kang (Republic of Korea)

Sungho Cho (Republic of Korea)

Sungyoul Park (Republic of Korea)

Takayuki Sakiyama (Japan)

Tobias Møhl (Denmark)

Veronika Beckh (Germany)

Waqas Khan (Pakistan)

Xavier Toubes (Spain)

Yang Gao (China)

The 2020 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize finalists’ work will be on view at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, from May 21 to July 12.