Japanese Sculptor Kunimasa Aoki Wins 2025 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize
Summary
Since its inception in 2016, theLoewe Foundation Craft Prizehas spotlighted artisanal excellence from around the globe. Founded byJonathan Anderson, the prize was launched to reaffirm the Spanish house's ardent devotion to craft, celebrating makers and artists that champion traditional and innovation in their respective mediums.
This year marks a transitional moment for the prize: the first edition following Anderson'sdeparture, with Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez set toleadthe brand into its next chapter. On Thursday night at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, legendary filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar awarded this year's top honor.
Taking home the €50,000 EUR prize is Japanese sculptorKunimasa Aokifor his work 'Realm of Living Things 19.' Chosen from more than 4,600 submissions across 133 countries, Aoki's terracotta work stood out for its raw materiality and technical finesse. The jury praised the piece for its 'honest expression of the ancestral coil process' and organic, unfinished beauty.
'In this demonstration of innovative new building techniques, gravity, time and pressure are used to take clay to the limits of its material possibility,'Loeweremarked. Crafted in his signature material, Aoki's winning sculpture is formed from meticulously stacked layers of clay, then coated with a decorative finish of soil, glue and pencil marks, evoking a sense of movement and life within earth's stillness.
Based in Kawaguchi, Japan, Aoki studied sculpture at Musashino Art University in Tokyo and later went on to earn a postgraduate degree in art and design. Prior to this year's competition, he also won the Gold Prize at the 9th Japan Art Center Sculpture Competition in Kobe.
Special mentions were also awarded to Nigerian designerNifemi Marcus-Bellofor 'TM Bench with Bowl,' and 'Monument' by the Indian collectiveStudio Sumakshi Singh. All 30shortlistedworks, including 'Realm of Living Things 19,' are now on view at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid through June 29 as a part of the Craft Prize exhibition.
Head to the Foundation'swebsiteto learn more about this year's works.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luis Enrique: ‘Inter's lesson for kids' in Champions League Final
Luis Enrique praised Inter, who 'respectfully' waited for PSG to lift the Champions League trophy last night: 'Many people only know how to win.' Spanish coach Luis Enrique thanked and congratulated Inter players last night after the Nerazzurri's 5-0 win over them in the Champions League Final. Advertisement 'I would like to sincerely praise Inter, all their players, and staff members,' Luis Enrique said at a post-match press conference. 'They respectfully waited for our title celebrations, despite their pain. I think it's a big lesson for the kids. In life and football, you win and lose. And you must know how to lose. Many people only know how to win. No, you must know how to lose and show respect for the rivals as Inter did.' What Luis Enrique did while PSG lifted Champions League trophy MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, embraces Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, during a pitch inspection prior to the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by) Luis Enrique completed the second treble of his coaching career, following his first with Barcelona in 2015, which he achieved after beating Juventus in the Champions League Final. Advertisement The Spaniard was seen applauding Inter players as the PSG squad lifted the Champions League trophy last night. epa12147978 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of PSG (R) in action against Denzel Dumfries of Inter during the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano in Munich, Germany 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/FILIP SINGER Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, a two-time Champions League winner with the Rossoneri, praised Luis Enrique, saying that the Spaniard had given a football lesson to Inter. Inter returned to Milan on Sunday morning, and their coach, Simone Inzaghi, will discuss his future with the club President, Beppe Marotta, in the coming days.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Woman, 59, Goes Botox-Free After Decades—Then Reveals Her Face
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A 59-year-old woman has gone viral after revealing her completely natural face—free of Botox—for the first time in years. She then faced backlash for sharing her decision to return to injections. Eloise Anderson (@eloiseanderson4), a content creator based in Atlanta, opened up about her cosmetic journey on TikTok, where she received 3.7 million views and 40,200 likes. Anderson, who has been getting Botox injections since her 30s, shared that her use of the treatment varied over time—especially during the seven years she lived in the Virgin Islands, where access was limited. Botox is a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. "It was rather spur of the moment; I'd just showered and knowing I was getting Botox the next day, had the idea to talk about why I was going back to Botox. I just thought it'd be an interesting thing to document at my age," she told Newsweek. A split image of Eloise Anderson sharing her natural face after letting years of botox injections dissolve. A split image of Eloise Anderson sharing her natural face after letting years of botox injections dissolve. @eloiseanderson4/@eloiseanderson4 In the candid video, Anderson explained that she wanted to document how her face looked after so many years of the treatment. She described the differences she noticed in her face, like more prominent wrinkles around her eyes, "bunny lines" on her nose, and the return of her "elevens"—vertical lines between the eyebrows that initially led her to seek treatment. Ultimately, she shared she was booked in to have Botox again, since she prefers what her face looks like with it. "I thought that was the best way to do it! I wasn't trying to look worse on purpose. People said it was brave, but I just don't have any hangups about filming without makeup, I do it all the time. It's real life in an industry full of trickery, and the #over50club demographic needs to see themselves represented honestly more often in social media," Anderson told Newsweek. She said she initially stopped using Botox because she didn't think it was making as much of a difference anymore, and instead focused on consistent skincare. But after eight months, she still wasn't happy with the condition of her skin. "Just didn't like the way my starbursts made my under eyes look. The skin was getting crepey, makeup was caking. So I reupped!" she explained. She went back to treating the same areas as before: the "elevens," around her eyes, above the brow, and this time, a new area—her chin—to help relax a muscle contributing to early signs of jowling. In total, she received 48 units: six of Botox and 42 of Dysport—another nonsurgical form of wrinkle treatment, applied to the area between the eyebrows. "I felt fine about my face minus Botox. But the option was there to make my skin smoother, so that's what I did. It was also somewhat of a business decision; I am a fulltime content creator with a fashion/skincare niche and it behooves me to look my best. Let me be clear though, I'm not trying to stop the aging process! For one, it's not possible. I don't fear aging, and I don't want to look 25 again, but why not look better if I have the means to do so," she said. Anderson emphasized that she sees cosmetic decisions as deeply personal. "I would NEVER tell another person how to feel about their own face. My mom had upper eye surgery in her 50s and it looked very natural. I don't fear plastic surgery, I just don't think I need it right now. In 15 years I'm sure they'll have good alternatives to plastic surgery, I'll wait!" she said. Despite her honesty, the video drew a wave of negative comments. Anderson said she was surprised by the backlash and judgment she received online over her appearance and decision to not age naturally. "I didn't expect the storm of opinions on TikTok. I was making a video statement, I was NOT asking for anyone to help me make decisions! "I think it's sad when women bully other women, especially around the rather sensitive topic of aging. This isn't my first rodeo, I had another viral video where the pile-on was over my weight. So I know all of the negative comments really have nothing to do with me. It's just unhappy insecure people hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. It's still ugly. And as with making a decision NOT to get procedures done isn't a sign of virtue, the decision to get cosmetic procedures shouldn't be equated with vanity or low self-esteem! It's a personal choice, nothing more," she said. Many TikTokers, however, came to her defense and shared their own thoughts on cosmetic procedures. "As an injector, your forehead and '11' lines do NOT look like what a 59 yr old would look like without it. You look good, it has worked for you," said Ashley Walker. "I couldn't live without my Botox every three months, I will grow old disgracefully thanks," shared another user. "I'm 59 turning 60 in July but I don't have nearly as much wrinkles an I never used Botox. Your skin is nice an clear with no age spots but yeah a lot of wrinkles. We age differently," added another viewer. "I started Botox in my 50s cuz it helps me feel good about myself. At this point it's about aging gracefully. Girls these days start so young and end up looking older so young!," one person wrote. "You look pretty naturally. The lines around your eyes are pretty too. They really are," commented another. "Get the Botox and don't worry about it," one viewer encouraged. Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
USA Today
16 hours ago
- USA Today
Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels festival appearance because of US visa issue
Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels festival appearance because of US visa issue The Tijuana-based regional music group is among a growing number of Mexican musicians who have had abrupt visa issues. Show Caption Hide Caption Spotted: Pedro Pascal in economy class on his way to Cannes Actor Pedro Pascal went viral for his comments on U.S. immigration at Cannes Film Festival. The Mexican band Grupo Firme canceled their headlining June 1 performance at a California music festival because the group said their visas were currently in an 'administrative process' to enter the country. The Tijuana-based regional Mexican music group is among a growing number of Mexican musicians who have had abrupt visa issues, sometimes for alleged ties to drug cartels, during the second Trump administration. It wasn't immediately clear what caused visa issues for Grupo Firme to enter the country for their June 1 performance at La Onda Fest, in Napa Valley. The band offered no further details aside from a May 30 post on Instagram Stories. The post said the United States Embassy currently had visas in an 'administrative process' for bandmates and their record label, Music VIP. This made it 'impossible' for them to attend the Mexican music festival. 'We are sorry for the inconvenience that this may cause,' the post said in Spanish. 'We appreciate your understanding and, above all, the love of our fans in the United States.' In an emailed response, the Department of State said visa records are confidential by law, so they couldn't comment on the case. Officials didn't respond to questions about the basis for the visa issue, or about the 'administrative process' the band described. The group said they would share news of their return to the United States when they can make new plans. Mexican singer Julión Álvarez said he had his visa revoked ahead of a sold-out May 24 show at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. In 2017, Álvarez had his visa revoked after being accused of ties to a drug trafficker, though he denied this. He was taken off a list in 2022, and he was in the country as recently as April to perform three sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, the State Department revoked the visas for Los Alegres del Barranco, after the band displayed an image of Mexican drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho,' at a concert in Mexico in late March. The group had an American tour planned. On X, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed the department canceled Los Alegres' work and tourist visas for "glorifying" Oseguera Cervantes, who is head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. In 2021, Grupo Firme won a Latin Grammy for best banda album. The group is known for songs such as "Ya Supérame" and "Cada Quién." But in February, the group canceled a festival performance in Mazatlán, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, after being threatened by a suspected drug cartel. The threat reportedly came in the form of a narcomanta – a banner used by drug cartels to communicate messages – displayed on a bridge, as well as a severed human head found nearby, addressed to Grupo Firme. Grupo Firme has sought to distance itself from music known as narcocorridos, or drug ballads, that have gained an international following, coinciding with a global rise in the popularity of regional Mexican music. States in Mexico have sought to ban the subgenre of corridos, or Mexican ballads. In April, Grupo Firme's lead singer, Eduin Caz, said the group doesn't perform narcocorridos. Their music, focused on love and heartbreak, 'has fed us very well,' he said at a press conference. La Onda Fest was set to take place May 31 to June 1, with Grupo Firme slated as the last act on the second day. The festival said Tito Double P, a corridos singer from Sinaloa, would replace Grupo Firme.
