The Loewe Craft Prize 2025 has awarded its prestigious accolade to Japanese sculptor Kunimasa Aoki for his groundbreaking work in anamorphic terracotta. Born in 1963, Aoki has captured the attention of the jury with his piece titled Realm of Living Things 19. This annual prize, initiated by the Loewe Foundation in 2016, celebrates artistic merit, modern craftsmanship, and innovation, with a prize of 50,000 euros. Aoki was chosen from among 30 finalists, thanks to his exploration of how materials crack and distort under pressure.

Aoki's technique involves stacking and compressing thin clay coils using novel production methods, enhanced by gravity, time, and pressure. These are then smoked in a kiln and finished with a decorative layer of earth and pencil marks, as detailed in Loewe's press release. The jury praised Aoki's honest interpretation of traditional coiling methods and his expression of raw, unprocessed materials. The intricately detailed surfaces form small universes through the compression of terracotta coils, as noted by the panel of 12 distinguished experts from the fields of design, architecture, journalism, criticism, and museum curation, including architect and industrial designer Patricia Uquiola and Olivier Gabet, director of the decorative arts department at the Louvre Museum. "The element of risk in the firing process demonstrates the tenacity and commitment needed to create a sculpture like Realm of Living Things 19," they emphasized.

Aoki, a specialist in terracotta sculpture, graduated with a degree in Sculpture from Musashino Art University in Tokyo and completed a postgraduate program at its School of Art and Design. His work is recognized throughout Japan and is part of the Japan Art Center's collection. It has been showcased in solo exhibitions at the Seiho Gallery in Tokyo and the Tokyo Art Center, as well as in group exhibitions at the Kawaguchi City Art Gallery, among others. In 2023, he won first prize at the IX edition of the Japan Art Center Sculpture Competition.

This year, the jury also awarded two special mentions. One was given to Nigerian artist Marcus-Bello for his work TM Bench with Bowl. Made from recycled aluminum from the automotive industry, this sculptural piece explores concepts of globalization, trade, and power dynamics, as detailed in the press release. The jury appreciated the simplicity of the raw material and its geometric shapes, which together convey a discreet yet powerful message about consumer culture.

The other special mention went to Studio Sumakshi Singh from India for their piece Monument. This life-sized reinterpretation of a 12th-century columned walkway from Delhi was crafted using copper zari intertwined with water-soluble fabric that dissolves, leaving the threads that compose the work. The jury highlighted the poetic contrast between Monument's strong presence and delicate structure, an eloquent testimony to the enduring memory, strength, and resilience of cultural narratives against the physical degradation of monuments and the passage of time.

As the prize celebrates its eighth edition, Sheila Loewe, president of the Loewe Foundation, expressed her amazement at the incredible display of ingenuity, beauty, and skill among the finalists. "For me, the magic of the prize is witnessing, year after year, the capacity of craftsmanship to surprise, innovate, and evolve. It is a pride to see the role the prize plays in keeping craftsmanship alive and relevant," she noted.

The 30 finalist works will be exhibited at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid from May 30 to June 29, 2025. The exhibition will be available online in digital format and will be accompanied by a catalog.