The 2026 Loewe Craft Prize Show Is Here

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Summary

  • South Korean ceramicist Jongjin Park has been awarded the 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize for his work, “Strata of Illusion” (2025)
  • The chair-like piece has roots in ceramics, while evoking elements and traditions of glassblowing and bookbinding, which won over the judges
  • “Strata of Illusion” and all 30 shortlisted works will go up at the National Singapore Gallery in a special showcase running through June 14

The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize exhibition is now open in Singapore, and South Korean artist Jongjin Park has won the top award. His winning piece, “Strata of Illusion” (2025), along with the other 30 finalists’ works, is on display at the National Gallery Singapore until June 14th.

Artists from 133 countries and regions submitted over 5,100 works – including woodwork, furniture, bookbinding, glass, jewelry, textiles, and ceramics – to be considered. The piece “Strata of Illusion” was chosen as the winner because it surprised the judges with its unique sculpture-like form and challenged what people think ceramics can achieve.

This chair is created from thousands of layers of paper. The paper is covered with a liquid porcelain, and then fired in a kiln. During firing, the paper burns away, causing the center of the piece to sink and create its shape. This process is similar to glassblowing, and the careful layering of paper also resembles the art of bookbinding.











The jury, comprised of architect Frida Escobedo, Loewe’s creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, and 2025 Prize winner Kunimasa Aoki, was looking for work that demonstrated exceptional skill, new ideas, and artistic creativity. They also gave special recognition to two pieces: “Frafra Tapestry” (2024), a collaboration between Spanish designer Álvaro Catalán de Ocón and the Ghanaian Baba Tree Master Weavers, and “Collier” (2025), a two-necklace set by Italian jewelry artist Graziano Visintin.

LOEWE has always valued skilled craftsmanship, a tradition that began when the company was founded 180 years ago. The finalists for this year’s award demonstrated remarkable dedication, creativity, and new ideas. Together, their work proves that making things by hand continues to offer endless potential, according to McCollough and Hernandez.

You can now see the finalists’ work from the 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize exhibition in Singapore. Visit the competition’s website for details.

National Gallery Singapore
1 St Andrew’s Road,
Singapore 178957

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2026-05-12 21:56