AMSTERDAM.- Internationally acclaimed sculptor Tony Cragg will receive the European Culture Award on 4 September 2026 at the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam.
With this honour, the European Cultural Forum pays tribute to an artist who has shaped contemporary sculpture for decades and given it fresh impetus worldwide. Born in Britain, Cragg has lived and worked in Wuppertal, Germany, for many years, where he has created a body of work that has earned international acclaim.
The laudatory address will be delivered by Felix Krämer, Director General and Artistic Director of Kunstpalast Düsseldorf. Together, they realised the highly acclaimed exhibition Tony Cragg: Please Touch! at Kunstpalast Düsseldorf, inviting visitors not only to view art but also to experience it through touch. The exhibition vividly demonstrated the creative strength and innovative spirit of an artist who has continued to push the boundaries of sculpture for decades.
“Tony Cragg is one of the most significant sculptors of our time,” says Reiner Schränkler, Chairman of the Board of the European Cultural Forum. “His works uniquely combine science, nature, materials research and artistic vision. He has had a lasting impact on international sculpture and has inspired generations of artists.”
With the establishment of Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden in Wuppertal, Tony Cragg also created a unique venue for contemporary art that today attracts visitors from around the world and ranks among Europe's leading sculpture parks.
Since 2012, the European Culture Award has recognised achievements of outstanding significance for European culture. The award is presented to individuals and institutions whose vision and creativity have made an enduring contribution to cultural life in Europe. Previous recipients include Gerhard Richter, Vivienne Westwood, Sol Gabetta, Neo Rauch and Rolando Villazón.
Buchmann Galerie warmly congratulates Tony Cragg on this prestigious distinction. We are proud to have represented the artist for many years and celebrate this recognition of his contribution to contemporary sculpture.
