Eriko Inazaki wins the 2023 LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize
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Eriko Inazaki of Japan was awarded this year’s LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize for her work Metanoia, 2019. She was chosen from among 30 finalists shortlisted by a panel in January. A jury of leading figures from the worlds of design, architecture, journalism, criticism, and museum curatorship – including Magdalene Odundo, Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, Olivier Gabet, and Patricia Urquiola – was won over by Inazaki’s ornamental ceramic sculpture.
The 2023 edition of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize presents a selection of works that explore meditative, time-intensive techniques and showcase a skillful manipulation of materials, from ceramics, wood, and textiles to leather, glass, and metal. Eriko Inazaki’s ceramic sculpture was created through an accumulation of minuscule forms that coalesce across the work’s crystallized surface. The virtuosity of the sculpture creates a spellbinding presence that commands the exhibition space and inspires wonder.
The LOEWE Foundation also recognizes the exceptional works displayed alongside Eriko Inazaki, the winning recipient of its Craft Prize. Dominique Zinkpè, from Benin, received a special mention for his work ‘The Watchers’ (2022). This mural sculpture, is assembled from individual pieces of wood and incorporates small Ibéji statuettes — sacred figures of Yoruba culture. The work explores traditional Yoruba beliefs associated with multiple births, or twins.
Moe Watanabe, a Japanese artist, was also recognized for her work ‘Transfer Surface’ (2022), a walnut bark box that pays homage to the seasonal cycles and the ancient Japanese tradition of Ikebana vase production. Watanabe’s innovative use of rivets, reminiscent of architectural construction and the art of mending, further elevates her careful work.
Looking ahead, LOEWE Foundation is already preparing for the seventh edition of its Craft Prize, scheduled to open for submissions in June 2023 with a venue to be announced in 2024. Aspiring artists from around the world will have the opportunity to showcase their innovative practices and unique artistic concepts, further enriching the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary craftsmanship.
