Loewe, the renowned luxury brand known for its high-end clothing and accessories, has officially launched the call for entries for the seventh edition of its prestigious Craft Prize. This highly acclaimed competition seeks to honor and celebrate the fusion of contemporary art and craftsmanship and will be held in Paris in the spring of 2024. Artists and artisans from all corners of the globe are invited to submit their entries by October 23, 2023, for a chance to not only showcase their work but also potentially win the highly coveted Craft Prize.
The selection process will be carried out by a distinguished panel of judges, consisting of esteemed artists, curators, designers, essayists, and previous Craft Prize finalists. These experts will carefully evaluate the submissions based on various criteria, including originality, precise execution, excellence of material, innovative value, and the artist’s unique mark. Out of the pool of talented applicants, a total of 30 finalists will be chosen to have their exceptional works featured in an exhibition taking place in Paris during the spring of 2024. The winner of the Craft Prize will be announced at the opening of this prestigious exhibition.
The panel of judges responsible for selecting the winner is comprised of respected individuals in their respective fields. This includes Sheila Loewe, the president of the Loewe Foundation, who assumes this role for the first time, renowned architect Minsuk Cho, and Eriko Inazaki, the recipient of the 2023 Craft Prize. This diverse group of experts will bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to ensure a fair and unbiased selection process.
Over the years, the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize has gained significant recognition and prestige. The previous edition, held in 2023, attracted over 2,700 proposals from artists representing more than 100 countries. Since its inception in 2016, the Craft Prize has aimed to celebrate and honor excellence, artistic merit, and innovative craftsmanship within the contemporary art world. As a gesture of support to international artists, the winner of the Craft Prize will be awarded a generous prize of €50,000, while two special mentions will receive €10,000 each.
Jonathan Anderson, Loewe’s creative director, conceptualized the Craft Prize as a tribute to the brand’s artisanal heritage. Anderson emphasizes the timeless relevance of craftsmanship in a modern context, stating, “Craftsmanship will always be modern. It’s about creating objects that have their own formula and speak their own language, creating a dialogue that did not exist before. It’s as much about novelty as it is about tradition.” With this sentiment, Loewe reaffirms its commitment to celebrating and promoting the intersection of art and craftsmanship in the contemporary landscape.
As the call for entries for the seventh edition of the Loewe Craft Prize commences, artists and artisans worldwide are encouraged to share their extraordinary talent and artistry. The Craft Prize serves as a platform to showcase their work, gain recognition, and contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding the importance of craftsmanship in the modern era. With the esteemed panel of judges and the esteemed reputation of the prize, the seventh edition promises to be a remarkable celebration of artistry, innovation, and creativity.
Useful Links:
1. Official Loewe Craft Prize Page
2. Loewe Craft Prize Archive
