South Korean Ceramic Artist Jongjin Park Awarded Prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize for 2026
South Korean ceramic artist Jongjin Park has achieved a significant milestone, being honored with the 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize. His innovative creation, "Strata of Illusion" (2025), a compelling seat-like form crafted from paper and porcelain slip, secured him the prestigious award and a €50,000 prize. This recognition not only celebrates Park's exceptional talent but also highlights the Loewe Foundation's commitment to fostering groundbreaking craftsmanship. The winning piece, along with other shortlisted works, will be showcased at the National Gallery Singapore, offering a global platform for contemporary craft.
South Korean Artist Jongjin Park Crowned Winner of 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize
On May 12, 2026, the Loewe Foundation officially announced Jongjin Park, a visionary ceramicist from South Korea, as the triumphant winner of its esteemed Craft Prize. Park's award-winning masterpiece, titled "Strata of Illusion" (2025), captivated the international jury with its remarkable fusion of materials and conceptual depth. The piece, an intricately designed partially-collapsed seat, is composed of countless layers of paper meticulously soaked in colored ceramic slip and then subjected to high-temperature firing. This process allows the paper to burn away, leaving behind a uniquely distorted yet compelling object that challenges conventional ceramic forms and expands the boundaries of the medium.
Park was selected from a highly competitive field of 30 finalists representing 20 diverse countries and regions. These artists showcased a broad spectrum of craft disciplines, including woodworking, textiles, metalwork, jewelry, and bookbinding. The distinguished jury, comprised of leading art historians, museum curators, renowned designers, and architects—such as Frida Escobedo and Patricia Urquiola—along with Loewe's creative directors, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, lauded Park's work for its profound craftmanship and innovative spirit.
In addition to the grand prize, the jury extended special commendations to Spanish designer Álvaro Catalán de Ocón and Italian jewelry artist Graziano Visintin. Catalán de Ocón was recognized for his collaborative endeavor, "Frafra Tapestry" (2024), a large-scale woven artwork created with the Ghanaian artisanal collective Baba Tree Master Weavers, ingeniously blending traditional basketry techniques with contemporary technology. Visintin's "Collier" (2025), two necklaces adorned with small gold cubes and niello, an ancient metalworking technique, also garnered praise. Both artists were awarded €5,000 for their outstanding contributions.
The exhibition featuring Park's "Strata of Illusion" and the works of other finalists will open to the public at the National Gallery Singapore tomorrow, running until June 14. This event provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and the public to experience the cutting edge of contemporary craft from around the globe.
The Loewe Foundation Craft Prize continues to be a pivotal platform for celebrating creativity and innovation in craft. This year's selection underscores the enduring power of handmade objects to inspire and challenge perceptions, echoing the sentiment shared by Loewe's creative directors about the foundation's 180-year legacy of upholding exceptional craftsmanship.