Hailing from Mexico, the esteemed Andrés Anza has emerged as the victor of the 2024 LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize. Anza’s victory came after distinguishing himself among 30 fellow finalists with his artwork titled “I only know what I have seen”, created in 2023. The distinguished jury panel, comprised of prominent personalities such as Magdalene Odundo, Minsuk Cho, Olivier Gabet, and Abraham Thomas from diverse sectors like design, architecture, journalism, and museum curation, made the unanimous decision. This year’s installment of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize showcased a wide array of creations featuring natural and organic shapes that pushed the boundaries of various materials to their very limits. Many of the exhibited works were meticulously fashioned from upcycled and repurposed materials, focusing on the “upliftment” and “metamorphosis” of everyday objects.
The Reason Behind Andrés Anza’s Triumph
“I only know what I have seen” stands as a life-sized ceramic sculpture. The artwork’s anthropomorphic structure is constructed from thousands of individual ceramic projections or minute spikes, collectively forming five puzzle pieces meticulously assembled with an almost architectural precision and purpose. Regarded as a captivating presence with a nearly human essence within the exhibition space, the jury emphasized that Anza’s creation “transcends temporal and cultural boundaries”, drawing inspiration from ancient archaeological motifs while embracing a post-digital aesthetic that sees ceramics assimilating the most prominent influences of our era.
Unveiling Andrés Anza’s Identity
At the age of 33, Andrés Anza received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Monterrey in 2014. He went on to showcase solo exhibitions at various esteemed venues including Rome’s Galería Anna Marra; San Pedro’s Galería Casa Gotxikoa and Centro Cultural Plaza Fátima, as well as Mexico City’s Galería Obra Negra. Anza’s portfolio extends to group exhibitions held across Mexico, Italy, Denmark, and the United States. His ceramic artwork was notably featured in the 2015 Emerging Art Biennial in Monterrey, where he clinched the “Encouragement to Create” accolade. In 2016, Anza also received an honorable mention for his contribution to the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Biennial.
Commendations & Artisanal Contributions
In addition to Andrés Anza’s triumph, three notable mentions were bestowed upon Miki Asai from Japan for “Still Life,” emmanuel boos from France for “Coffee Table ‘Comme un lego’,” and Heechan Kim from the Republic of Korea for “#16.” “Still Life” comprises three sculptural rings executed using lacquer and eggshell techniques, blending intricacy with monumentality in an unexpected juxtaposition. “Coffee Table ‘Comme un lego’” is a coffee table fashioned from 98 hollow porcelain bricks, challenging conventional expectations concerning everyday objects. On the other hand, “#16” by Heechan Kim employs a traditional boat-building methodology, utilizing ash and copper wire to craft an architectural design that intricately weaves the viewer’s gaze through the vessel’s inner and outer spaces.
Among the chosen creators, there is a special acknowledgment for their significant impact on the evolution of contemporary craftsmanship, covering various fields such as ceramics, jewelry, fabrics, woodworking, glasswork, metalwork, furniture, paper crafting, and lacquer—characteristics that the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2024 acknowledges. From over 3,900 submissions worldwide by artisans representing 124 countries and regions, the 30 finalists were chosen in February 2024, representing 16 countries and regions. This prize serves as a snapshot of excellence in craftsmanship across generations.
Decoding LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize
Introduced by Jonathan Anderson, LOEWE’s creative director, in 2016, the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize is a yearly international event that highlights and celebrates innovation, excellence, and artistic value in contemporary craftsmanship. It offers a glimpse into the pinnacle of craft excellence today and aims to recognize artisans whose skills and vision set a benchmark for the future of craftsmanship. The inspiration behind the prize stems from LOEWE’s origins as a collaborative craft workshop in 1846, highlighting fashion’s deep connection to culture and the necessity of specialized knowledge in the field. Art, craft, and design continue to be integral pillars of the brand’s legacy.
For art aficionados—the prize is open to any skilled artisan above the age of 18, with the only condition being that the submitted piece combines a creative use of its craft with an original artistic vision.
All 30 finalist works will be on display at Palais de Tokyo in Paris from May 15 to June 9, 2024.
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