Dominique Zinkpé | Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2023

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Dominique Zinkpè has been selected as one of the finalists of the prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2023.

For the occasion, the modern master created an assemblage that features intricately detailed, wooden statuettes, carved from individual pieces of solid wood and placed within a wooden frame, crafted from an old canoe.

Drawing on the Yoruba belief that twins hold special significance and powers, each figurine recalls the tradition of families creating an Ibéji doll when a twin dies in infancy to represent the soul of the deceased in physical form so it can continue to be cared for on earth.

Each statuette has been finely carved with individual details, then hand-painted with washes of pink and orange, a subtle yet profound reminder of the uniqueness of every individual.

Zinkpè, unarguably one of the preeminent African artists working today, is all together a pioneer, an iconoclast and a visionary. His oeuvre, anchored at the core of the 21st century cultural zeitgeist, is the stellar epitome of a contemporary African creation that alleviates borders and elevates our inherent humanity.

Zinkpè Ad Astra ⚡️🪐💫

Don’t miss the chance to visit our current exhibition and engage with truly iconic modern masterpieces, including 6 breathtaking painting by Zinkpè, presented for the first time to the public.