The 5th edition of the De Mains De Maîtres Biennial has opened its doors on 19 Novemebr at the historic 19 Liberté building in Luxembourg City. Organized by the De Mains De Maîtres association, the event runs until November 23 under the theme Nature Singulière (Singular Nature). It brings together a diverse selection of works that explore the connection between the environment, raw materials, and the human hand.
At the core of the exhibition are the Luxembourgish artisans, who display a fascinating range of techniques. The selection moves beyond the traditional imitation of nature, using materials to question our relationship with the planet.
Textile and sculpture are particularly strong this year. Visitors can discover monumental structures woven from recycled PET plastic bottles, turning waste into a dialogue on consumption. In a similar spirit of reuse, other works combine fine embroidery with electronic waste—incorporating motherboards and cables to create hybrid “techno-nature” sculptures.
The exhibition also highlights a return to organic rhythms and ancestral methods. Installations range from hand-shaped porcelain koi carp arranged in geometric constellations, to solid forms created using the “coiling” basketry technique with linen cords. From delicate glass molded from real willow leaves to interactive wooden sculptures that play with light and shadow, the local selection shows a deep sensitivity to the physical properties of matter.
This year, the Biennial invites the Czech Republic as its guest. The pavilion features 40 artists and is distinguished by a zero-waste architectural design. While the selection celebrates the country’s world-renowned glass heritage, bridging historic crystal traditions with contemporary innovations like “inside bubble sculpting”, it also emphasizes wood and clay. A key feature is the focus on transmission through student-master collaborations that preserve endangered crafts.
A major highlight of this edition is the Prix de l’Artisanat d’Art (Art Craft Prize). Sponsored by the Félix Chomé Foundation, this award aims to support local creation with a substantial grant of up to 35,000€. The prize is designed to help artisans realize ambitious projects which will be unveiled at the next biennial in 2027.
The biennial is on display between 20 and 23 November 2025 at the historic 19 Liberté building in Luxembourg.
photo: De Mains De Maîtres Biennial