Baifern Pimchanok attends LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize 2025 in Madrid

"...The LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize 2025 unfolded in Madrid, Spain, amid an atmosphere steeped in artistic excellence and creative innovation. Representing LOEWE as a brand ambassador and distinguished guest, Thai actress Baifern Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul captivated attendees in a sophisticated ensemble from the LOEWE Pre-Collection Fall/Winter 2025. Her look featured a navy-and-black striped sleeveless Anagram top, paired with pleated leather trousers and the elegant white Madrid bag, an embodiment of LOEWE’s refined identity..."

The prestigious event brought together 30 finalist works by artists from 18 countries and regions worldwide. Each piece celebrated the mastery of craft and experimental use of materials across diverse disciplines.

This year’s winner of the LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize was Kunimasa Aoki, a Japanese ceramicist recognised for his work Realm of Living Things 19. The terracotta sculpture explores the transformation of clay under force, resulting in cracks and distortions that symbolise resilience and change. Aoki employed an innovative technique, layering delicate clay threads and firing them in an electric kiln, then meticulously finishing the surface with clay, glue, and pencil marks, blending tradition and experimentation with poetic precision.

Two Honourable Mentions were also awarded. Nifemi Marcus-Bello’s TM Bench with Bowl fused functional design with sculptural form, created from recycled aluminium sourced from the automotive industry. Meanwhile, Studio Sumakshi Singh presented Monument, a delicate textile sculpture woven using traditional Indian techniques. Constructed from sari fabric, pure copper threads, and nylon, the piece beautifully captured cultural depth and artisanal intricacy.

Baifern joined the exhibition of all 30 finalist works at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of Madrid’s most prominent art museums, before attending the official prize ceremony. Her attendance not only highlighted the international nature of the event but also reinforced LOEWE’s deep commitment to cultural appreciation and craftsmanship.

The LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize remains one of the world’s most respected platforms honouring contemporary craft. By spotlighting artisans who push the boundaries of technique and material, the Prize continues to celebrate global diversity and the enduring relevance of handmade art in the modern world.