Tony Cragg, born in Liverpool, England in 1949, has lived and worked in Wuppertal, Germany since 1977. Recognized as one of the leading figures in contemporary sculpture, Cragg’s practice is deeply rooted in an exploration of the natural world and industrial systems. His work redefines the possibilities of sculptural language, consistently offering compelling and vital forms that transcend utilitarian function and challenge the mediated visual environment of modern life.Throughout his distinguished career, Cragg has received numerous accolades, including the Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia (2018), the Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award from the International Sculpture Center (2017), the Barnett Newman Foundation Award (2016), and a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2016. Additional honors include the Rheinischer Kulturpreis (2013), the Cologne Fine Art Award (2012), and the prestigious Praemium Imperiale Award in Tokyo (2007). He represented Britain at the 43rd Venice Biennale in 1988—the same year he won the Turner Prize at the Tate Gallery, London. Cragg also served as Director of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he had been a professor since 1988.Recent solo exhibitions include shows at Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf (2024); Graphische Sammlung, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich (2023); Albertina Museum, Vienna (2022); HEART Museum, Herning (2022); Museo del Vetro, Murano (2021); Houghton Hall, Norfolk (2021); Museum Belvedere, Heerenveen (2021); Schlossmuseum Wolfenbüttel (2020); MON Museo Oscar Niemeyer, Curitiba (2020); MuBE, São Paulo (2019); Boboli Gardens, Florence (2019); Franz Marc Museum, Kochel am See (2019); Istanbul Modern (2018); Yorkshire Sculpture Park (2017); Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana (2017); and The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg (2016).