Loewe Announces Its Craft Prize 2024 Winner

Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has proudly announced Andrés Anza as the distinguished winner of the 2023 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize. Anza was acclaimed for his creation entitled “I only know what I have seen,” which he crafted in 2023. His triumph emerged from a selection of 30 distinguished finalists, scrutinized by a prestigious panel encompassing luminaries from diverse creative spheres, including Magdalene Odundo, Minsuk Cho, Olivier Gabet, and Abraham Thomas. 

The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, established in 2016, celebrates excellence, innovation, and artistic merit in modern craftsmanship. Conceptualized by Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson, the annual prize seeks to recognize the pivotal role of craft in contemporary culture while honoring artisans whose talent, vision, and commitment to innovation set new standards for the future. Inspired by Loewe's rich heritage as a collective craft workshop dating back to 1846, the prize underscores fashion's profound connection to culture and the imperative of advanced, specialized knowledge within the field. Through its multigenerational snapshot of the utmost excellence in craft, the prize continually reaffirms Loewe’s dedication to fostering creativity in all its forms and disciplines.

The latest edition of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize showcased a compelling array of artworks characterized by organic and biomorphic forms that explore the physical limits of materials. These pieces often repurposed found or recycled materials, emphasizing the elevation and transformation of the mundane. All 30 shortlisted works are set to grace the prestigious Palais de Tokyo, Paris, from May 15 to June 9, 2024, with the exhibition accessible both in person and online, accompanied by an exhibition catalog.

Anza's ceramic creation, “I only know what I have seen,” captivates with its lifelike presence, boasting an anthropomorphic allure that straddles the realms of figuration and abstraction. Composed of intricately fashioned ceramic protrusions meticulously arranged into five puzzle-like segments, the sculpture exudes architectural precision and intentionality.

The esteemed jury commended Anza's creation for transcending temporal and cultural boundaries, drawing inspiration from ancient archaeological forms while embracing a post-digital aesthetic that reflects contemporary influences. However, amidst the celebration of Anza's triumph, the jury also bestowed special mentions upon artists Miki Asai, emmanuel boos, and Heechan Kim for their exemplary craftsmanship and innovative approaches to their respective mediums.

See some of the Loewe Craft Prize 2024 finalists' work below.