Maria Koshenkova Shortlisted for Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2026 with 'Faun's Flesh'

Maria Koshenkova, a contemporary sculptor working with glass, has been shortlisted for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2026. Her entry, 'Faun's Flesh', is among 30 finalists and will be presented in May, with the winner announced on 12 May. Koshenkova's practice is defined by a physical engagement with glass, treating it as an active participant rather than a passive medium. Her sculptures, often abstract and bodily, capture states of tension and transformation. Trained in ballet, she brings a sense of rhythm and balance to her work. Influences include Cornelia Parker and William Kentridge. She works closely with glassblowers, subjecting pieces to multiple heating cycles. 'Faun's Flesh' embodies a moment where material asserts its own direction. Koshenkova plans to expand into larger suspended installations.