Sculptor Genta Ishizuka wins Loewe Foundation Craft Prize

Succeeding an extremely competitive process over multiple months, the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize has finally been awarded to sculptor Genta Ishizuka inside the iconic Isamu Noguchi’s “Heaven” stone garden in Tokyo.

Genta Ishizuka, a Japanese sculptor, has been crowned for his impressive work, Surface Tactility #11, 2018 by Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and a panel of judges.   

The exceptional piece that won it all is constructed by combining traditional Japanese lacquer techniques and new methodology the artist designed himself and is made of crimson Urushi lacquer. To win the grand prize of €50,000, Ishizuka beat out 28 other finalists.

“Ishizuka’s work proves that craft can be open and shows the freedom of creation. His use of an ancient lacquer technique in a contemporary form breaks conventions and represents a new sculptural vision in craft,” said Anderson. 

From ceramics, furniture, and glassware, to basketry, jewellery and blacksmithing, the show demonstrates the artists’ quests to reconcile the ancient with the avant-garde.

From 26th June to 22th July 2019, Genta Ishizuka’s winning piece and all of the finalists’ works will be showcased at a free exhibition at Isamu Noguchi’s indoor stone garden ‘Heaven’ inside the Sogetsu Kaikan building in Tokyo.