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Craft Like You've Never Seen It By Steven Hempel 26 T he Loewe Foundation Craft Prize made a spectacular return f o r i t s e i g h t h e d i t i o n i n M a y, taking over the stunning Thyssen- Bornemisza National Museum in the heart of Madrid. More than just an award, this annual event is a global celebration of what craft can be, where tradition meets bold innovation and handmade brilliance takes center stage. Each year, the Prize brings together boundary-pushing makers from around the world — artists who reshape materials, rethink age-old techniques, and redefine the future of craft. From ceramics and textiles to metal, wood, and glass, the work is as diverse as it is visionary. The Loewe Foundation, founded in 1988 by Enrique Loewe, has long championed cultural heritage and creative excellence. Now led by Sheila Loewe, the foundation continues to support artists across craft, design, photography, dance, poetry, and more. In 2002, it received Spain's Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts — a nod to its ongoing cultural impact. This year's jury brought together 12 powerhouses f r o m a c r o s s d e s i g n , architecture, curation, and criticism. Among them: Patricia Urquiola, Olivier Gabet, Wang Shu, Magdalene Odundo, and Frida Escobedo — each helping to choose a winner from an extraordinary group of finalists. And the Winner Is … Kunimasa Aoki (Japan) Loewe named Japanese artist Kunimasa Aoki as the 2025 Craft Prize winner for his mesmerizing terracotta sculpture Realm of Living Things 19 (2024). Crafted using stacked and compressed coils of clay, Aoki's piece explores what happens when raw The 2025 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize material is pushed to its limits. Smoked in the kiln and finished with soil and pencil marks, the sculpture is a textured, otherworldly form that feels grown as much as made. The surface details, described by the jury as "little universes," capture the tension between control and chaos, fragility and strength. It's a piece that embraces risk and imperfection — qualities the jury praised as a bold, honest expression of craft at its most experimental. Special Mentions Nifemi Marcus-Bello (Nigeria): A designer exploring globalization and consumer culture, Marcus-Bello has exhibited internationally and received major accolades including Monocle's Emerging Designer of the Year, London (2023). His work is held in top-tier collections including MoMA, New York. Studio Sumakshi Singh (India): Founded by artist and educator Sumakshi Singh, this Gurugram- based studio works across textiles, sculpture, and installation. The intricately detailed pieces have been shown at Saatchi Gallery, London, and museums worldwide. See It for Yourself The 30 finalist works were on view at the Thyssen- B o r n e m i s z a N a t i o n a l Museum in Madrid in June. The exhibition offered an up-close look at the future of craft — from the finely honed to the wildly experimental, and a beautifully designed catalog captures every detail. theroom.loewe.com. From top: Studio Sumakshi Singh (India). Nifemi Marcus-Bello (Nigeria). Kunimasa Aoki (Japan), Craft Prize winner for his mesmerizing terracotta sculpture Realm of Living Things 19.