Crafts on Peel x Royal Society of Sculptors Material Exchange Residency — an international collaborative residency and cultural exchange programme exploring the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary sculpture. In 2027 we are offering two residencies as part of our partnership, one with a focus on galvanised iron and one with a focus on bamboo (please see separate listing).

We are delighted to invite applications from our Royal Society of Sculptors members and fellows for the Crafts on Peel x Royal Society of Sculptors Material Exchange Residency.

Organised in partnership with Crafts on Peel, a Hong Kong-based charitable foundation to revive, reinterpret and perpetuate traditional craftsmanship, this unique residency offers sculptors the opportunity to collaborate closely with Hong Kong makers and artisans through hands-on exchange, shared making, and co-creation.

For the 2027 edition, the programme will focus on galvanised iron in collaboration with Hong Kong galvanised iron craft artisan Naam yu.

Through the Jockey Club ICH+ programme, Naam began studying galvanised iron craftsmanship under Master Michael Yu Kwok-Keung, a Hong Kong artisan with nearly 40 years of experience in the industry. 

Since then, Naam has worked to revitalise this traditional craft for contemporary daily life by combining traditional and modern fabrication techniques.

In 2024, he founded Louud Galvanised Iron Crafts, a studio dedicated to promoting Hong Kong’s galvanised iron heritage through workshops, product design, and hands-on making culture.

Instagram: @louud_galvanized_crafts
Crafts on Peel's exhibition: https://www.craftsonpeel.com/artwork/galvanised-iron-sailboat/

This is an exciting opportunity for sculptors interested in a highly structured residency and exchange programme, particularly those enthusiastic about documenting their process in depth.

This is an exciting opportunity for sculptors interested in learning about Asia-centric craft techniques and having a cultural immersion experience in Hong Kong. 

The residency and exchange programme is highly structured and rewarding, particularly to those enthusiastic about documenting their process in depth.

We warmly encourage applications from artists eager to experiment, exchange knowledge, and develop ambitious collaborative work within an international context.

Website: https://www.craftsonpeel.com
Instagram: @crafts_on_peel_hk
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@craftsonpeel

RESIDENCY STRUCTURE

The residency consists of two compulsory stages:

Stage 1: Exchange

An 80-hour mutual exchange between a Royal Society of Sculptors member and Contemporary galvanised iron artisan Naam, involving shared techniques, experimentation, research, and collaborative development.

This stage includes:

• Two weeks in the UK with the Contemporary galvanised iron artisan Naam visiting (March 2027)
  • Contemporary galvanised iron artisan Naam will be staying in our Dora House Accommodation. Any artist applying for the opportunity will need to be prepared to travel to our Dora House basement workshop to undertake the 40 hours required for this initial exchange Some of the time may also be spent at the artist’s own studio with Contemporary galvanised iron artisan Naam (assuming day travel is feasible) – Travel and accommodation costs associated with this will need to be covered using the Travel and Accommodation budget (see details below).
• Two weeks in Hong Kong visiting Contemporary galvanised iron artisan Naam (March 2027)

Participants will document the process through working logs, photographs, videos, and a short creative journal reflecting on the exchange and future collaborative directions. - see the log form here > https://form.jotform.com/261403844935056 this is to be completed each day of your residency.

Stage 2: Collaborative Artwork Production

Artist pairs will develop and produce a collaborative artwork for the Crafts on Peel permanent collection, with opportunities for exhibition in Hong Kong.

The collaboration may include:

• One major co-created artwork (required)
• Individual works by each artist (optional)
• A series of smaller commercial-ready products (optional)

KEY DATES

• 28 July 2026 - Applications open
• 25 August 2026 - Applications close
• September 2026 - UK artists confirmed
• March 2027 - Residency exchange
  
  • Contemporary galvanised iron artisan Naam in the UK - 1 to 15 March 2027
  • UK artists in Hong Kong - 22 March to 5 April 2027
• April 2027 - Collaborative proposal submission
• April-October 2027 - Distanced collaboration and production
• October 2027 - Final work delivered to Hong Kong for exhibition at the CoP Autumn Showcase

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The programme includes support for both the Hong Kong and UK participation, see allocation below:

• Travel and Accommodation up to £1850
  
  • upon the provision of receipts
• Exchange scholarship £1500
  • 50% (£750) disbursed at the mid point of stage 1 prior to the visit to Hong Kong.
  • 50% (£750) disctributed upon the completion of stage 2 and production of the artwork outcome of the exchange.
    • These will be only be released upon the successful completion of the daily log.
• Artwork production and logistics up to £9,500
  • shared budget

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS RESIDENCY Q&A

We are going to host a Q and A about the opportunity via zoom on 5 August 2026, 10am BST, 5pm HKT

If you are interested in applying it is important that you attend to find out more.

Register via the Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zvylZLOfQJKst8Dd_U0fUQ

If you are unable to attend, please share questions in advance by clicking the contact the curator button.

SOLE JUROR

Penelope Luk is the driving force behind Crafts on Peel, a non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to reviving, reinterpreting and perpetuating traditional craft in the modern artistic context, while supporting the development of traditional craftsmen and contemporary artisans in Hong Kong and beyond.

As the Creative Director, founding member and spokesperson of Crafts on Peel, Penelope has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's visions, missions and values. Under her guidance, the restoration of 11 Peel Street, a heritage site in Hong Kong, has been transformed into a multi-purpose creative venue, now serving as the home of Crafts on Peel.

Penelope's passion for heritage crafts enables her to activate the creative venue through thematic exhibitions, workshops and collaborations between traditional craftsmen and contemporary artisans.

She leads the way in creative direction, exhibition curation, craft research, talent development and strategic partnership. Penelope's influence extends beyond Crafts on Peel, as she shares her expertise through writings, presentations and broadcasts on crafts around the globe.

Penelope studied Dutch and Linguistics at Universiteit Gent, Belgium and completed the Executive Education Programme, 'Social Enterprise and Impact-driven Business' at Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK. She is a state-certified Chinese Tea Master, a passion that she has shared as part of Crafts on Peel's public programme.

KEY TO NOTE:

• Applications are to be made on CuratorSpace.
• No feedback will be given to unsuccessful applicants
• Applications are welcomed from all Royal Society of Sculptors members and fellows provided they have not been awarded or participated in a Society residency in the 12 months prior to the applications opening.
• Please note that for your application to be accepted, your annual membership fee must be paid in full by the submission deadline or an existing quarterly direct debit be in place.