Toyota Motor Korea RK selected one winner and four finalists for the 'Lexus Creative Masters Award 2024' and held an award ceremony on the 8th of this month at the Lexus Complex Cultural Space Connect2.
Launched in 2017, the Lexus Creative Masters Award is a social contribution programme designed to nurture talent by supporting emerging artists in the domestic craft sector and create a culture of craftsmanship. With a new theme for each year's award, Lexus has collaborated with a total of 27 craft artists through 2023 to produce Lexus Creative Masters editions and hold special exhibitions.
This year, under the theme of 'Tomorrow of Crafts: The Aesthetics of Authentic', the recruitment period lasted for about six weeks from 19 February to 29 March, and a total of 707 applicants from various fields such as ceramics, textiles, glass, and woodworking applied. The judges were Byungjun Koo, CEO of PPS, Kim Jae-won, CEO of Atelier Ecriture, Jeong Gap Jung, CEO of Gallery Clip, and Choi Joo-yeon, CEO of Yoon Hyun-sang-jae, who evaluated the works based on four criteria: ▲the message of the theme, ▲the work process reflecting the value of craftsmanship, ▲the design with practicality and completeness, and ▲the novelty and aesthetics of the works.
The winner was Moonbori, 'Memory, Signal' (an interactive textile light that blends traditional and contemporary materials); the finalists were Kim Kyung Chan, 'Volcanic - Creation and Existence' (a reinterpretation of Jeju clay and stone objects); and Kim Dong Wan, 'Layer series' (a glass object using lacquer layers); Hyejung Kim, 'Magnolia Dances' (a white porcelain bowl with white magnolia); and Seoyoon Lim, 'White cotton wool' (a textile object made of natural materials).
The overall winner will receive KRW 20 million and the four finalists will receive KRW 5 million each. The winning works will be exhibited and sold at the Lexus multifunctional cultural space CONNECT TO, and the winners will also participate in various brand collaboration activities.
"I was impressed by the 'aesthetics of authenticity' and the 'philosophy' of the artists in this year's awards, including both established and emerging artists," said Byung-jin Lee, Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation. "We will continue to provide opportunities to help craft artists' concerns and efforts shine through."
For more information on the Lexus Creative Masters Award 2024 finalists and their work, please visit the official website at https://www.lexus.co.kr/.
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Photo Toyota Motor Corporation