“…When a handmade creation transcends its function as an everyday object, it becomes a vessel, a reflection of identity, culture, and personal vision. And for that very reason, there is perhaps no greater platform than the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize, which offers a space of freedom and aspiration where master artisans and contemporary creators from across the globe can explore the delicate intersection between tradition and the future of craft…”
Since its establishment in 2016 under the leadership of Sheila Loewe, the fourth-generation heir of the world-renowned Spanish house, the LOEWE FOUNDATION has continued to play a vital role in uplifting the place of craftsmanship in contemporary art. The prize is far more than a monetary award, it is a refined platform that dignifies excellence, celebrates creativity, and highlights the enduring value of skilled hands in the modern world.
‘Year on year, it gives me such pleasure to see the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize provide a platform for extraordinary talent. Through the Prize, we honour artists who dare to innovate while preserving a deep connection and reverence to their material and their culture. Craft embodies the values we want to carry forward for the next generation: care, dedication and imagination. These are the gestures that shape our future.’
Sheila Loewe, President of the LOEWE FOUNDATION
In a world dominated by automation and industrial scale, craft remains a quiet yet resolute language, one of attentiveness, finesse, and a meaningful way of life. These values are precisely what the LOEWE FOUNDATION continues to uphold, nurturing generations of master artisans across disciplines. Most recently, from a pool of over 4,600 submissions spanning 133 countries and regions, Japanese ceramicist Kunimasa Aoki was named winner of the 2025 Craft Prize. His deeply emotive sculptural work, crafted from wood, speaks not only of aesthetic refinement but also conveys stories of nature’s resilience and human vulnerability. He now joins the judging panel for the 2026 edition, symbolising a full-circle moment within the craft community.
As the Craft Prize returns in 2026, its mission remains clear, to honour and promote artistic expression, creative ingenuity, and the meticulous beauty of contemporary craftsmanship. Open to applicants aged 18 and above from all over the world, including Thailand, the prize welcomes artists and professionals working across craft disciplines. The 2026 finalist works will be presented in Singapore during the spring, where an international panel of judges will select the winner from among a shortlist of no more than 30 exceptional pieces. The winner will receive a prestigious prize of €50,000, while two runners-up will be awarded €5,000 each.
Beyond the prize money, these accolades reflect the LOEWE FOUNDATION’s enduring commitment to fostering cultural expression through craftsmanship in a contemporary context, and to empowering visionary artists whose work sets a new standard for the future.
In a fast-paced digital world, where change is constant and speed is often mistaken for progress, craftsmanship stands firm, a cultural pillar shaped by hands, heritage, and human connection. The LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize offers more than just a prize, it provides a global voice for unique stories told through form, material, and making. For Thai artists and makers, this is a rare and valuable opportunity to showcase their ideas, traditions, and experimental approaches on a global stage. It’s a chance to engage in critical dialogue with leading international talents, curators, and creative visionaries, and to elevate Thailand’s rich craft legacy to international recognition.
