Southern Guild artists Madoda Fani and Andile Dyalvane have been shortlisted for the 2022 edition of the prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize and will exhibit their work at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art, opening 1 July. This is the first time artists from Africa have been selected as finalists for the Madrid-based cultural foundation’s annual prize-giving, now in its fifth edition.

First conceived by the brand’s creative director Jonathan Anderson in 2016, the prize is a celebration of outstanding contemporary craftsmanship. Thirty original works have been shortlisted for their mastery in traditional technique, unique contemporary application and artistic vision. Both Dyalvane’s and Fani’s selected works are featured in the ceramics category.

Madoda Fani’s work, iZembe (An Axe), was made using a contemporary evolution of the ancient iXhosa practices of hand-coiling, burnishing and smoke-firing clay. Visually distinct in their detail, the patterns and protrusions featured in many of his works possess an anthropomorphic quality, often echoing the form of an insect’s exoskeleton. The vessel forms part of Fani’s iQweqwe series. Titled Cornish Wall, Dyalvane’s glazed stoneware vessel was handcrafted using red earthenware coils. He has cultivated a distinct vocabulary of symbolism in his work, drawing from the richness of his iXhosa heritage.

The award’s jury, composed of 13 prominent figures from the world of art, design, architecture and criticism, features another leading artist represented by Southern Guild. Ceramicist Zizipho Poswa was selected as one of this year’s deciding judges. The winner of the award will be announced on 30 June 2022, followed by the exhibition in Seoul (1 – 30 July 2022).