Kunimasa Aoki (born 1963, Japan) was awarded the 50,000 euro prize. He was selected from 30 finalists by a prestigious jury of 12 leading figures in the fields of design, architecture, journalism, criticism and museum curation.

Realm of Living Things 19 (2024) - Kunimasa Aoki's morphing terracotta sculptures explore how clay cracks and deforms under pressure. Using innovative shaping techniques and the interplay of time, gravity and pressure, layers of clay are stacked and compressed, smoked in a kiln and then covered with a decorative finish of earth and pencil strokes.
During the deliberations, the jury looked for works that stood out in terms of technique, craftsmanship, creativity, and artistic vision. Kunimasa Aoki&rsquo;s work was selected for its authentic interpretation of traditional clay rolling techniques, as well as the way the material was presented in its raw, unfinished state. The intricate surface details create &ldquo;miniature universes&rdquo; - the result of the compaction of the clay rings. The element of risk involved in the firing process is a testament to the tenacity and intense commitment required to create a sculpture like this.

The jury also unanimously awarded two special nominations:

The sculpture, crafted from recycled aluminium from the automotive industry, explores themes of globalisation, trade and the workings of power. The jury praised the simplicity of the raw material, combined with geometric forms, creating a quiet but powerful statement on consumerism.

Nifemi Marcus-Bello (born 1988, Nigeria) for TM Bench with Bowl (2023)

The work is a life-size column, recreated from a 12th-century colonnade in Delhi, using copper zari thread embroidered onto water-soluble fabric. Once the fabric is dissolved, only the thin thread remains suspended in space. The jury was particularly impressed by the poetic contrast between the work&rsquo;s imposing presence and its fragile structure - a poignant testament to the enduring memory and vitality of cultural heritage, even as physical structures fade with time.

Studio Sumakshi Singh (born 1980, 1972, 1979, 1983, India) with Monument (2024)

This year&rsquo;s edition of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize features a selection of innovative works in which ancient craft techniques are boldly adapted from traditional materials to new ones - for example, weaving is applied to clay, or handloom weaving is transferred to metal. In some works, traditional motifs are reinterpreted and reinterpreted in completely new ways. Oral traditions, rituals and knowledge passed down through generations are expressed in works that pay homage to this rich heritage. Meanwhile, some artists have chosen to go their own way, creating unique sculptural forms that open up new directions. Some works evoke a sense of dreaminess and fantasy, while in others, the mark of the artisan&rsquo;s hand is evident in expressive surface treatments.

Among the 30 works that made it to the final round, artist Le Thuy and her work Time are the only representatives from Vietnam. The work was inspired by the event of 6,700 ancient trees being cut down in Hanoi, using traditional techniques to preserve wood, as a way to pay tribute to the irreversible loss.
The growth rings of a tree - the mark of time - are recreated through layers of paint, evoking the image of a clock face. The process begins with the application of multiple layers of raw paint, cotton, sawdust and mud, which are then sanded to create a smooth surface. When finished, the surface of the work is inlaid with eggshell, mother-of-pearl, gold and silver, combined with natural pigments and lacquer, creating an overall look that is both sophisticated and profound.

All 30 shortlisted works will be on display at the Thyssen Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid from 30 May to 29 June 2025. The exhibition will also be presented online and printed in an exhibition brochure.<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td> This annual award was launched by the LOEWE FOUNDATION in 2016 to celebrate excellence, artistic value and innovation in contemporary craftsmanship. The aim of the award is to recognise the essential role of craftsmanship in contemporary culture and to honour those artisans whose talent, vision and creative ambition promise to shape new standards for the future. The award was created as a tribute to the origins of LOEWE, a leather goods workshop founded in 1846.</td></tr></tbody></table>

LOEWE Craft Prize 2025: The Winner Has Been Revealed

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