What I learnt as an artist judging an international craft prize
In a major coup, two Australians made the cut in the international Loewe Craft Prize. We speak to one of the artists involved in the prize's rigorous judging process about what goes on behind the scenes.
Liam Fleming with his Loewe Craft Prize finalist work, Patterns of Pressure, 2025. Photo: Grant Hancock.
This week, the prestigious Loewe Craft Prize (pronounced lo-aye-veh) has announced its finalists for its 2026 edition, and two Australian glass artists have made the cut – Canberra-based glass kiln worker Kirstie Rea and Adelaide-based glass artist Liam Fleming.
It was the largest number of Australians to have applied in the prize’s history, some 111 makers across all mediums, putting them at the table with the top makers in their fields across the world.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
