German Artist Ernst Gamperl Named the Winner of Loewe’s Craft Prize

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A jury composed of leading figures from the design, architecture, journalism and museum curatorship industries, announced the winner of the 2017 Loewe Craft Prize today in Madrid. German-born artist, Ernst Gamperl was presented with €50,000 and a silver trophy by actress Charlotte Rampling for his work ‘Tree of Life 2.’ Relatively unknown to those unfamiliar with artisanal woodwork, Gamperl completed a cabinet-making apprenticeship as a student, before finessing his skills with a master program in woodturning. He created his winning work from a massive, 300-year-old oak tree which had been uprooted during a storm.

In a statement, Jonathan Anderson praised the artist: “It is the work of a gifted craftsman who has the special ability to have developed a distinctive individual voice rather than a style or signature,” he said. “The work of Ernst Gamperl has something which conveys a unique voice and the physicality of these pieces will be important for many more years to come.”

Established by Anderson in 2016, the Loewe Craft Prize aims to recognize emerging artisans and preserve specialist skills. This year, nearly 4,000 hopeful applicants entered the competition and artisans ranging from the age of 20 to 80 battled it out to be selected as one of the 26 finalists. In addition to Ernst Gamperl’s win, the official jury also handed out two special mentions to artists Yoshiaki Kojiro from China and Artesanías Panikua from Mexico.

Work from all 26 finalists will be on display in an exhibition opening in Madrid tomorrow. Following that, the full show will travel to New York’s Chamber Gallery on May 30th, before continuing onto Tokyo in November and London’s Collect Saatchi Gallery in February of next year.

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