Exceptional makers recognised in Collect 2026 crafts awards

As part of the internationally renowned Collect fair, the Collect 2026 Awards have been awarded in recognition of artistic originality, excellence in process and skill, innovation, and exceptional contribution across contemporary craft.

The Brookfield Properties Craft Award was awarded to Darcey Fleming, House of Bandits by Sarabande, London, who at the time of writing, is in residence at the Lee Alexander McQueen established Sarabande Foundation.This year’s winner, Darcey Fleming, is celebrated for a practice that spans sculpture, performance, photography, and ‘wearable sculpture’. Her work often centres on the human body and is defined by her inventive use of humble, discarded materials, particularly discarded baling twine.

Now in its seventh year, the Brookfield Properties award has evolved into a new model to support a solo exhibition at 99 Bishopsgate by an artist presented at Collect 2026, along with a curated exhibition at 30 Fenchurch Street which will involve works from the UK’s national collection of contemporary craft.

The solo exhibition, (Extra)ordinary, will open on 30 March 2026 and is accessible 7 days a week at 99 Bishopsgate. A second curated exhibition at nearby 30 Fenchurch Street titled Material Acts: Artifacts of Performance from the Craft Council Collection will run from 20 April – 28 August 2026.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Peter Layton, Peter Layton Glassblowing, London

Collect 2026’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recognised Peter Layton’s exceptional contribution to British studio glass across six decades, as both a pioneering artist and the founder of London Glassblowing, one of Europe’s leading glass art galleries and one of the longest-running hot glass studios.

Introduced for Collect 2026, the Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates an individual whose influence has shaped the wider field of contemporary craft and design, as well as Collect itself.

This year’s award marks two parallel milestones: Peter Layton’s ongoing artistic vitality – with a practice that remains active and evolving as he approaches his 90th birthday in 2027 – and the lasting industry impact of London Glassblowing as it marks its 50th anniversary.

The Outstanding Display Award was Awarded to Cavaliero Finn and Max Radford Gallery

The Outstanding Display Award recognises a stand concept with clear curatorial intent and visual coherence, alongside a realised presentation that communicates the ideas behind the work, uses space intelligently, and offers a welcoming, accessible visitor experience.

The Artist of the Fair Award was awarded to Vadim Kibardin, presented by Mia Karlova Galerie and Jongjin Park, presented by Daguet-Bresson Gallery

Artist of the Fair is awarded to an artist whose work best embodies Collect’s values – artistic originality and intellectual content; excellence in process and skill; a deep understanding of materials, scale, colour and texture; and a clear sense of creative progression and new ideas.

Vadim Kibardin was selected by the judges for his elevation of humble materials into elegant and alluring forms, showing the range of his skillset by presenting sculptural seating and statement lighting.

Jongjin Park impressed the judging panel with his innovative technique of soaking paper in clay slip and stacking them into densely layered works that have an almost archaeological quality. They also noted his remarkable use of colour and pajern, evoking surprise and delight in the viewer.

The Collect Open Award, presented by Spinocchia Freund, was awarded to Chloe Lennon

Collect Open is a platform for bold craft-led installations by individual artists and collectives, selected for proposals that show artists pushing and challenging their own practices. The Collect Open Award recognises the presentation that stands out for innovation and originality, dynamic use of space, and the clarity with which it conveys ideas and narratives.

Chloe Lennon was chosen for her creative and ambitious response to a challenging concept. She has delivered the most innovative concept from her original proposal, articulated both through making – in homage to the material – and through the space in which it is presented. The judges agreed that the installation made us question our collective impact on the environment, through great craftsmanship, design and creative process.

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