Tony Cragg awarded the European Culture Prize 2026
One of the most influential artists of our time will now be awarded the 2026 European Culture Prize . At the world-famous Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the European Cultural Forum will honor a sculptor whose work has set standards for decades and inspired generations of artists.
With his sculptures, Sir Tony Cragg combines nature, science, materials research, and artistic vision into a distinctive formal language. His works open up new perspectives on form, movement, and space and are among the most important works of contemporary sculpture. They are represented in renowned museums, public collections, and public spaces worldwide.
The British-born artist has lived and worked in Wuppertal for many years . From there, he has created a body of work that enjoys worldwide acclaim and has had a lasting impact on international sculpture. For decades, Sir Tony Cragg has been closely associated with the art and cultural scene of North Rhine-Westphalia and has made Wuppertal a significant center for contemporary sculpture.
With the Waldfrieden Sculpture Park, which he founded, he created a unique venue for contemporary art that attracts visitors from all over the world and is now one of the most important sculpture parks in Europe. Tony Cragg has thus permanently anchored North Rhine-Westphalia on the international map of contemporary art.
The laudatory speech will be given by Felix Krämer , Director General and Artistic Director of the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf .
The two have a long-standing collaboration. Together, they realized, among other things, the highly acclaimed exhibition "Tony Cragg: Please Touch!" , which invited visitors not only to look at art but also to experience it tactilely. The exhibition garnered attention far beyond North Rhine-Westphalia and impressively underscored the innovative power of an artist who continually redefines the boundaries of sculpture.
Sir Tony Cragg understands sculpture as a living process. His works arise from an intensive engagement with natural science, materials, and movement. This results in works that appear organic, dynamic, and surprising. With his distinctive formal language, he has had a lasting impact on international sculpture and inspired generations of artists.