TALENTE München. Masters of the Future 2026

>> Download here the complete selected artists list

The special show TALENTEmünchen – Meister der Zukunft showcases the work of young designers from around the world. On display are innovative objects and works of art from a total of 13 fields, ranging from glass and metal to ceramics, textiles, and plastics. From around 600 applications, a jury of experts selected 86 participants from 25 countries to showcase their work at «Handwerk & Design». From March 4 to 8, 2026, visitors to Hall B1 will be able to get a glimpse of the design of the future.

Outstanding works by designers under the age of 35: that's what the special show TALENTEmünchen – Meister der Zukunft has to offer. The desire for new forms and solutions in craftsmanship knows no boundaries, and so the participants come from a wide variety of regions around the world, including Georgia, Ghana, Israel, Mexico, the Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Ukraine and Venezuela.

What is striking this year is that young people are becoming increasingly aware of old, sometimes almost extinct craft techniques. Feather processing, enamel, glass beads and embroidery are making a comeback after a long break. 

However, the manufacturing processes and design concepts are not simply copied, but analyzed, questioned and further developed.

Young people are keeping the old alive by transferring it into their own time. Kim Jeongyun Hyun, for example, breaks with old-fashioned ideas about embroidery: she uses classic techniques, but focuses on bright colors and contemporary themes full of computers, fast food and warning signs.
 
For many young designers, social interaction is also important. They create aids that facilitate movement, such as a myoelectric hand prosthesis by Leonard Neuberger.

Engaging with social questions often leads to a search for traces in one's own life: many young designers, artists, and craftspeople explore their roots, develop an interest in traditions and become sensitive to cultural differences. The omnipresence of electronic media seems to lead to an increased preoccupation with memory and remembrance. Of particular interest here is the question of how the immaterial is transformed into the analogue.

Ceramics, glass, textiles, metal, wood: the works come from a total of 13 different crafts. Since Munich is considered a global city of jewelry art, a particularly large number of jewelry artists traditionally apply. There is a noticeable desire here to transform everyday or technical materials into jewelry. Plastic bags, concrete, and cable insulation become eye-catching accessories.

Nature is also a great source of inspiration. Natural processes such as decay are interpreted as formative forces. The use of natural materials reflects a desire for poetry, tranquility, and peacefulness. Artists from Japan and Korea especially often use natural materials very carefully. Joy Chung has explored the connection between nature and digital computer technology. She has translated real-time wind data into patterns using a computer program.

Politics, environmental protection, humanity, poetry: TALENTEmünchen – Meister der Zukunft is an astonishingly diverse show. The young designers are very precise, reflective, and aware of problems. Such a density of sophisticated works allows us to look to the future of the design craft industry with hope.


A catalogue will be published for the special exhibition: Each artist will be presented with a colour photograph.


Prizes and Awards:
Talente-Prize (Saturday 7^th March at 4.30 in hall B1).

• Eight contributions will be awarded the TALENTE-Prize.
• Works will be acknowledged in the TALENTE-Catalogue of the following year (including photography and text).
• Distinguished exhibitors receive a certificate.

Bavarian States Prize (Friday, ^6th March, 2 p.m).

• Every exhibitor at the International Trade Fair can apply for the Bavarian States Prize.
• The Bavarian States Prize is awarded 5,000 Euros, a gold medal, and a certificate.

Organisation and Funding:
Promoter: GHM – Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.
Administration: Barbara Schmidt, Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern.
Organisation: Michaela Braesel, Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern.


We are grateful for the support provided by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Energy, and the Bavarian State Ministry of Commerce and Media, Energy, and Technology. The publication of the catalogue is enabled by funding from the Association of Trades Fairs.