The LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize 2026 has officially concluded, naming ceramicist Jongjin Park from South Korea as this year’s winner. First launched in 2016 by the LOEWE Foundation, the annual craft prize is an international award for contemporary craft. A nod to the Spanish house’s roots as a craft collective, it celebrates and supports artists whose exceptional vision and craftsmanship set new, innovative standards for the future. Following its announcement of the winner, the LOEWE Foundation is staging its finalists’ exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore from 13 May to 14 June 2026, showcasing the works of this year’s top 30 finalists, representing 19 countries.

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Selected from more than 5,100 submissions from across 133 countries, this year’s final works spanned the mediums of ceramics, textiles, furniture, metalwork, lacquer and glass. This year’s winner, Park, presented a piece titled Strata of Illusion (2025), which he created by coating paper with tinted porcelain slip and stacking them into dense rectangular pieces and allowing heat and gravity to shape its final form. Park's practice focuses on delving into redefining material intelligence. He is also currently an Assistant Professor Major of Craft & Collectable Design at Seoul Women's University. As this year's winner, Park will be awarded €50,000 ($74,700SGD).

The LOEWE Foundation has also named two special mentions for this year's Craft Prize: Ghanian craft collective Baba Tree Master Weavers (Mary Anaba, Charity Aveamah Atuah, Christiana Anaba Akolpoka, Asakiloro Aduko, Mary Ayinbogra, Teni Ayine, Subolo Ayine and Punka Joe) in collaboration with Spanish artist Álvaro Catalán de Ocón's Frafra Tapestry (2024), and Italian jewellery designer Graziano Visintin's Collier (2025).

This year’s jury was chaired by Sheila Loewe, President of the LOEWE Foundation, and includes experts like Naoto Fukasawa of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Olivier Gabet of the Louvre and Abraham Thomas of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as LOEWE creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. Several artists, including LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize 2025 finalists Scott Chaseling, Nifemi Marcus-Bello and Didi Ng Wing Yin are also among this year’s jurors.

"In the ninth edition of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize, I am more proud than ever. This year’s shortlist has been one of the hardest to judge and provided the jury with the opportunity to discuss the far reaches of what craft can be—and will be in the future," said Sheila Loewe. "I feel continually honoured to be at the heart of such discovery, excitement and skill in the world of craft and witness close hand the creative endeavour of such extraordinary artists."

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Among the 30 finalists is Taiwan-based Singaporean book artist and conservator Adelene Koh. Her piece, titled Endless (2025), combines traditional bookbinding techniques with contemporary flair, creating an endless loop of a bookspine bound together by English endband sewing techniques from the 18th and 19th centuries. Koh is also the second-ever Singaporean to be shortlisted for the LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize, following paper artist Ashley Yeo in 2018.

“Bookbinding has never been recognised much, so the fact that LOEWE had a bookbinding category made me feel like it was my chance. To be picked was unbelievable, and it was an affirmation that I’m going on the right path, because it hasn’t been easy,” Koh told ELLE Singapore ahead of the exhibition. “People misunderstand what bookbinding is, so it being shown as such a high-level craft today just gives me a pat on the back.”

Koh also went on to share her hope that more Singaporeans will be open to exploring craft. “Yes, you will experience rejection. Don’t be caught up with what people tell you is good,” she said. “If your heart tells you this is something you like, go for it. We are fortunate. Our country is safe, and has everything settled for us. Take the risk.”

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This year is also the first time the LOEWE Craft Prize finalists’ exhibition has been staged in Southeast Asia, following exhibitions in Madrid, Paris, New York and Seoul in its last few iterations. “Bringing this exhibition to Singapore reflects the global dialogue at the heart of the Prize and our ongoing commitment to supporting artists at pivotal moments in their careers,” said Sheila Loewe. It also speaks to the brand’s loyal following in Singapore, which is also home to its first CASA LOEWE Flagship boutique in Southeast Asia.