Chamber Exhibits the Finalists from Loewe's Inaugural Craft Prize
Spanish fashion house Loewe has long crossed the lines between fashion and design, retail and handicraft. For the past three years, the house's creative director, Jonathan Anderson, has presented an assortment of furniture, ceramics, and accessories at the Salone del Mobile. Last year, the brand doubled down on this dedication to independent design when its eponymous foundation launched a Craft Prize, an award intended to celebrate craftsmanship around the world. The prize's stated mission is to "recognize uniquely talented artisans whose artistic vision and will to innovate will set a new standard for the future of craft," and this year's finalists did not disappoint. The projects, which went on display today at New York's Chamber gallery, run the gamut from textile work to ceramic objets to jewelry pieces, a small sampling of the many wildly creative artisans working today. The top prize went to German Ernst Gamperl for his Tree of Life 2, an elegant wooden container hand-hewn from a felled 300-year old tree. Click through to see the rest of the finalists, and, if you're in New York, stop by Chamber to see them there through June 6.
Photo: Courtesy of Loewe1/6Finalists for the Loewe Craft Prize on display at Chamber.
2/6Ernst Gamperl, Germany
Gamperl's Tree of Life 2 won top prize, according to jury president Anatxu Zabalbeascoa, "For the way in which this work explores the meeting point between formal values and a social message. This is an object that is both beautiful and teaches us the value of recycling. It is based on rescuing fallen trees and bringing nature back to life with exquisite skill. It is the work of a gifted craftsman who has the special ability to have developed a distinctive individual voice rather than a style or signature’.
3/6Yoshiaki Kojiro, Japan
Kojiro's deep blue vessel, made from glass and copper oxide powders, is an experimental take on the traditional glassblowing of the artist's native town, Chiba. The jury recognized Kojiro, who is trained as an architect, for the "risk and innovation" in his materials.
4/6Artesanías Panikua, Mexico
Another special mention went to Mexican Panikua, who crafted a representation of a sun deity out of wheat fiber. Both subject and technique are traditions of the Purépecha, indigenous people from the Michoacán region from which Panikua and his family are descended. Together with his wife and daughters, Panikua endeavors to continue these age-old techniques in his workshop.
5/6Work by, from left, Mexico's Guillermo Álvarez-Charvel, Japan's Igawa Takeshi, Canada's Brendan Lee Satish Tang ,and Yoshiaki Kojiro are flanked by a colorful wall hanging by Chiachio & Giannone of Argentina.
6/6Vessels, from left, by Ireland's Sara Flynn, Belgium's Helena Schepens, Germany's Kristina Rothe, and Belgium's David Huycke.
