Jongjin Park Wins Loewe Craft Prize 2026 with Porcelain Work Strata of Illusion

Jongjin Park has been awarded the Loewe Craft Prize 2026 for his ceramic creation, Strata of Illusion, showcased at the National Gallery Singapore. This artwork, crafted from porcelain, paper, stain, and glaze, takes on the form of a low chair, geological sample, or compressed textile. Park applies porcelain slip mixed with pigments to paper sheets, which he then folds, stacks, and compresses into solid blocks before firing; the paper incinerates, resulting in a ceramic piece that exhibits signs of compression and creasing. The surface features layered ridges and hues of pale blue, coral red, chalky yellow, moss green, and shiny dark areas. Based in the Republic of Korea, Park is an Assistant Professor of Craft & Collectible Design at Seoul Women's University and has degrees from Kookmin University and Cardiff Metropolitan University. His artistic process is inspired by geological layers near his studio, reflecting the concepts of accumulation and pressure in his ceramic technique. The title, Strata of Illusion, emphasizes the contrast between its textile-like appearance and its enduring ceramic nature. This work was chosen for the Loewe Craft Prize, which celebrates contemporary craftsmanship through innovative materials and technical daring.