About Andrés Anza, the winner of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2024
In June 2024 The prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2024 announced the winning artist and three outstanding works that won the “special mention” – a category that appeared for the first time this season.
Mexican ceramic artist Andrés Anza has been named the winner of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2024. Surpassing 30 other outstanding finalists, Anza’s masterpiece “I only know what I have seen” won convincingly. This result was decided by a jury of leading names in the fields of architecture, journalism, art criticism and curation such as Magdalene Odundo, Minsuk Cho, Olivier Gabet and Abraham Thomas. This year, the competition selected and exhibited a series of works with organic and biological forms, reflecting the theme of “when materials reach their ultimate physical limits”. Many of the works were crafted from reused and recycled materials to focus on “elevating” and “transforming” everyday things.
Why did Andrés Anza win?
“I Only Know What I Have Seen” is a large-scale ceramic sculpture. Its life-sized form is covered in thousands of spikes of varying sizes and lengths on its surface. Described as “a compelling human presence in the exhibition,” the jury commented that the work “defies its time and cultural context.” Although inspired by ancient archaeological materials and forms, “I Only Know What I Have Seen” also embraces a post-digital aesthetic – a time when ceramics have received some of the most defining influences of our time.
Who is Andrés Anza?
Andrés Anza (33) graduated with a BA from the University of Monterrey in 2014. Since completing his studies, he has held solo exhibitions at Galería Anna Marra in Rome; Galería Casa Gotxikoa and Centro Cultural Plaza Fátima in San Pedro; and Galería Obra Negra in Mexico City. Anza has also participated in group exhibitions across Mexico, Italy, Denmark, and the United States. In 2015, his ceramic work was exhibited at the Emerging Youth Arts Festival in Monterrey, where he won the “Incentive for Creativity” award. In 2016, he also received an honorable mention for his work at the Bienal Festival of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
The winner of the “special mentions” category and 30 artists contributing their works
The jury also selected three representative works for the “special mentions” category, including the “Still Life” series by Miki Asai, the “#16” series by Heechan Kim, and the “Comme un lego” series by Emmanuel Boos. “Still life” consists of three designs that use lacquer and eggshell pressing techniques to create cracked patterns on the surface, in the shape of miniature vases with a base made of cubes carved into ovals and circles. “Coffee Table ‘Comme un lego’” is a coffee table, handcrafted from 98 hollow ceramic bricks, breaking aesthetic stereotypes about household items. For “#16,” Heechan Kim applied traditional boat-building techniques, combined with two main materials: ash wood and copper wire. The design allows viewers to admire the space inside and outside the cabin of the boat, opening the door to “travel” between the two spaces.
The LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2024 not only honours the winner, but also gives special recognition to the important contributions of the finalists, who have contributed to the development of contemporary crafts across a wide range of fields such as ceramics, jewellery, textiles, wood, glass, metal, furniture, paper and lacquer.
In February 2024, the 30 best artists won over the jury and overcame more than 3,900 entries from artisans from 124 countries and regions around the world. The 30 candidates represented 16 countries and regions, and are considered a multi-generational picture of the top excellence in the field of handicrafts today. The LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize is not just a prize, but also a testament to the outstanding craftsmanship of craftsmen around the world.
About LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize
Initiated by LOEWE Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize is an annual international award that aims to celebrate talent, creativity and artistic value in the field of contemporary crafts. The award portrays a multi-generational artisan class as a symbol of “the highest level of contemporary craftsmanship excellence” with the aim of honoring active artisans, talents and setting standards for the future of crafts.
The inspiration for the creation comes from the origins of LOEWE – a collective artisan workshop founded in 1846. The award highlights the deep connection between fashion and culture, as well as the need for expertise in the field of craftsmanship. Art, craft and design remain the core foundations of the brand.
For those who are passionate about art – any professional artisan over the age of 18 can apply, with the only requirement being that the work must be a combination of creative application of craft techniques and a truly unique artistic concept.
