Pilot Program · Material Memory Studio
Seoul, Creative Stay
A Pilot Studio Residency, Timed Around Frieze Seoul
“Not just a residency. A personally hosted creative stay in Seoul.
One artist. One studio. One dedicated creative host.”
We’re opening our Mullae-dong studio to one visiting artist at a time, with Seoul-based artist Yujin Chung as the local host. Timed around Frieze Seoul week, this is a studio-only stay for someone who wants to work, explore, and connect in Seoul, without the formal structure of a full residency.
The Studio
Material Memory Studio is a materials-focused studio in Mullae-dong, Seoul — running workshops, coaching, and a guest host program since early 2026.
Why This Program
It’s not the studio. It’s the care behind it.
Rather than leaving Material Memory Studio empty, Jay is opening it to one visiting artist. The space can continue to gather new materials, observations, and memories through someone else’s practice.
The stay is intentionally designed for one artist at a time. It offers the privacy and continuity needed to focus, without the fixed schedules or social expectations of a larger residency. Jay’s own residency experiences, together with her work building Reviewed by Artists, have shaped this personal, trust-based approach.
As the local host, Yujin offers context, thoughtful introductions, and a personal point of connection to Seoul. She helps the artist settle into the studio and discover places, people, and perspectives relevant to their interests, while leaving their time and practice fully their own.
Hosted by
Yujin Chung (she/her)
Yujin is a Seoul-based artist whose practice includes drawing from travel and everyday life. She’ll welcome you to the studio, help you settle in, and share a personal introduction to Seoul during your stay.
From the Studio Archive
A look back at some of the visiting artists who have spent time working, experimenting, and exchanging ideas at Material Memory Studio.
What’s Included
Before the numbers — here’s what’s actually in this. Not a bare space rental, but the whole package below.
Your Public Event (Required)
A workshop or an artist talk — your choice.
Every guest hosts exactly one public event during their stay. Pick whichever fits your practice:
Workshop
- —Can be paid — you set the price
- —You bring your own materials
- —Ticket revenue is split 50:50 with the studio
Artist Talk
- —Free to attend, by default
- —A modest refreshment fee only if needed
- —Lower prep — share ideas rather than teach a technique
You’ll propose your topic and format in your application, and confirm details together before you arrive.
What You Bring
The studio is intentionally kept simple — work tables and a few basic comforts, like a coffee machine — so each artist can work with their own materials and preferred practice. We provide the space, local knowledge, and creative network, not a fully equipped production studio.
Lodging works the same way — you choose where you stay, on your own timeline and budget, and Yujin helps you find something that fits.
“We provide the space, local knowledge, and creative network — not a fully equipped production studio.”
How It Works
Around the Studio
Material Memory Studio is based in Mullae-dong, a working neighborhood where long-running metal workshops sit alongside artists’ studios, independent cultural spaces, cafés, and bars. Its narrow alleys retain the sounds, materials, and rhythms of active fabrication, giving the area a character quite different from Seoul’s more polished creative districts.
Mullae is best explored slowly. Metal offcuts, hand-painted signs, old workshop doors, small exhibitions, and unexpected spaces appear between the factories. The studio serves as both a quiet base and a starting point for discovering this less obvious side of Seoul, with local recommendations shaped around each artist’s interests.
Photos © The Seoul Institute
Dates & Duration
The studio is available from August 24 through late October 2026 — timed so your stay can include Frieze Seoul week (September 2–5). Choose a 2-week or 3-week stay.
A bonus for early arrivals: come in the opening window (August 24–26) and Jay will run your orientation together with Yujin, before she leaves for her own residency abroad — apply early if you’re aiming for this window.
Pilot Pricing
Includes dedicated studio access, personal hosting, Frieze/Kiaf afternoon admission (1 day), orientation, curated Seoul experience, and workshop opportunity.
Payment via PayPal or bank transfer.
This isn’t a finished program. It’s the first one, built together with our host as we go.
How to Apply
Send your portfolio, references, what you’re interested in exploring while you’re here, and your proposed public event (topic + format). We’ll review it and follow up with confirmation and payment details. This pilot is open to solo artists only — duos and collectives aren’t possible this time.
Apply NowApplications close Monday, August 17, 2026 · 11:59 PM KST — reviewed on a rolling basis, and may close early once the artist is confirmed. Apply as early as you can.
Questions before you apply?
Or email: hello@materialmemorystudio.com
FAQ
What mediums are welcome?
All kinds — this isn’t a juried residency with a fixed discipline. The studio is a simple, work-table-centered space, so if your practice needs specialized equipment or makes significant noise, DM us before applying.
Can I apply as a duo or collective?
This pilot is for solo artists only — the studio and hosting are designed around one artist, so duos and collectives aren’t possible this time.
Is lodging included?
No. Accommodation and living expenses are not included in the program fee, and participants are responsible for arranging and booking their own stay. A curated list of recommended accommodations is available, along with guidance in finding an option that suits your location, schedule, and budget.
Are art materials provided?
You bring your own — the studio is intentionally kept simple (work tables and a few basic comforts) so you can work with your own materials and preferred practice. We can point you to local supply stores if needed.
Is the public event mandatory?
We ask every guest to host one, because we want to help you connect with people in Seoul while you’re here. You can choose a workshop or an artist talk, your choice, and propose your topic and format in your application.
How does payment work?
Once your application is reviewed and confirmed, we’ll send instructions for payment via PayPal or bank transfer.