Solitude alumna Silke Hofmann receives the Bavarian State Prize 2026 for her work »Embrace«

Congratulations to our Solitude alumna Silke Hofmann on being awarded the Bavarian State Prize for her work Embrace, which she also developed during her Solitude fellowship (2023–2024).

How can garments provide care and protection while reflecting lived experience—especially in moments of vulnerability? Silke Hofmann explores these questions through participatory methods, additive manufacturing, and a critical engagement with the politics of care.

The project Embrace, developed as part of her practice-based PhD at the Royal College of Art and further refined during her residency at Akademie Schloss Solitude, is an iterative design project focusing on breast support garments for people affected by breast cancer.

In the award citation, particular emphasis is placed on Hofmann’s inclusive and participatory design practices, which are grounded in scientific research and informed by ergonomic principles.