After careful deliberation, the Jury has reached its decision. We are delighted to announce that the Winner of the Nóema Craft Prize 2026 is Kostas Lambridis for the work “It’s Not Εnough”, and the two Special Mentions are Dimitra Kostantinidi for her work “Mother’s Hug, 5+1 stories spoken through the Caryatids”, and Shekine Naidi, for her work “Meteorite”.
JURY STATEMENT
The Nóema Craft Prize 2026 Jury has written a statement to accompany their selection of the Winner and the Special Mentions
Selecting only a handful of artists from an exceptionally accomplished group of finalists was an intellectually demanding and deeply rewarding exercise. While each shortlisted artist speaks through a distinct visual language and material vocabulary, they all share a rare ability to dissolve the conventional boundaries between contemporary art and craftsmanship.
The Jury wishes to acknowledge the audacity that characterises their practices and warmly congratulates all finalists, whose work resists easy categorisation. Together, they challenge established hierarchies between fine art, design and craft, expanding the possibilities of each discipline without relinquishing the rigour and technical excellence that define genuine craftsmanship. Their willingness to experiment, question convention and embrace uncertainty while maintaining uncompromising standards distinguishes their work within today’s cultural landscape.
What ultimately unites these artists is the profound coherence between idea and execution. Every gesture, every detail and every technical decision serves a larger artistic vision. Their work reminds us that craftsmanship is not defined solely by virtuosity, but by the ability to imbue material with meaning, transforming the handmade into an experience that is at once intellectual, emotional and deeply human.
It was against these very criteria —originality of vision, conceptual coherence, technical mastery, and the courage to expand the boundaries of contemporary craftsmanship — that the Jury reached its final decision. For these reasons, the Jury selected the works of Kostas Lambridis, Dimitra Konstantinidi and Shekine Naidi as representing, each in their own singular way, the highest aspirations of contemporary craftsmanship: originality without affectation, technical mastery without ostentation, and artistic ambition grounded in an exceptional command of materials. Together, they embody a compelling vision of what craft can become in the twenty-first century—a field in which tradition, innovation and artistic imagination converge with extraordinary force, while reaffirming Greece’s enduring place as one of the world’s great cultural landscapes of craftsmanship.
Nóema Craft Prize Winner: Kostas Lambridis
Kostas Lambridis has been selected for First Prize in recognition of its exceptional originality, and inventive craftsmanship. The jury was particularly impressed by its distinctive formal language, which combines aesthetic ambition with a strong sense of functionality. Through an adventurous and assured use of an extraordinary range of materials, the artist has created a heterogeneous yet remarkably striking whole. Diverse materials of varying registers, weights, and textures are imaginatively assembled, woven, stitched, glued, and welded into a compelling composition that transcends conventional craft practices. The collage-like approach to material assemblage demonstrates both artistic virtuosity and conceptual clarity, transforming disparate components into a unified and iconic work of art and craft. Rich in visual complexity and tactile resonance, the work challenges established boundaries between disciplines while celebrating the expressive potential of materiality.
Special Mention: Dimitra Konstantinidi
This work has been selected for Second Prize in recognition of its ambitious proposition, which expands the scope of craft beyond functionality into the realm of installation and immersive experience. The jury commended the intricate handcraft and meticulous threading that underpin the work’s material form and visual impact. Equally compelling is its rich narrative dimension, which extends craft into a conceptual field of storytelling. Through humour, criticality, and playfulness, the work thoughtfully challenges cultural archetypes and invites multiple interpretations. By seamlessly integrating technical expertise with conceptual depth, it encourages sustained engagement while creating a powerful spatial encounter. The work exemplifies how contemporary craft can transcend conventional boundaries, embracing installation, narrative, and critical inquiry without losing its material integrity or the intimacy of the handmade.
Special Mention: Shekine Naidi
Equally compelling was the remarkable ingenuity in Shekine Naidi’s approach. Whether through the reinvention of familiar materials, the invention of new formal vocabularies or the unexpected convergence of artistic disciplines, Shekine Naidi demonstrated an exceptional capacity to surprise. Her work invites prolonged contemplation, rewarding viewers with multiple layers of meaning while never sacrificing the physical intelligence embedded in its making. Her practice of wet felting of wool demonstrates that craft is not merely the mastery of technique, but a way of thinking through materials. In each case, the chosen medium is never simply a vehicle for expression: it becomes an active collaborator in the creative process. Through patience, precision and an intimate understanding of her material, she transformed making into a form of inquiry, where technical excellence and conceptual depth are inseparable.
Acknowledgements and thanks
The Jury wishes to acknowledge the exceptional work of the 2026 Experts’ Panel—Leanne Sacramone, Irene Geroulanou, Virginia Matseli, Helli Pangalou, Eva Vaslamatzi, Kostis Velonis, Loukia Thomopoulou, Yorgos Tzirtzilakis, Kostas Stasinopoulos, Aggeliki Giannakidou, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Tina Daskalontonaki and Vana Xenou—whose thoughtful deliberations, generous exchange of ideas and rigorous evaluation of an outstanding number of submissions laid the foundations for this year’s Prize. Their commitment, expertise and intellectual generosity were instrumental in identifying a remarkable group of finalists.
The Jury also extends its sincere thanks to the Nóema Prize team — Maria Karavaltsiou, Maria Kasimati Tsoutsia, Calliope Maria Sazakli and Maria Liva —for their professionalism, dedication and tireless work throughout the selection process and in the realisation of the exhibition at the Tobacco Factory.
Finally, the Jury warmly congratulates the founders of the Nóema Craft Prize—Mareva Grabowski, Alexandros Athanassiou and Andreas Zombanakis—for their vision, generosity and unwavering commitment to championing contemporary arts and crafts in Greece and beyond. By establishing this Prize, they have created an important platform for recognising artistic excellence while reaffirming the enduring cultural significance of craftsmanship in contemporary society.
NÓEMA CRAFT PRIZE EXHIBITION DATES EXTENDED
Exhibition Dates Extended until 5 July
Public Tobacco Factory of the Hellenic Parliament
Open Everyday 17:00-21:00
