YUN-CHENG CHU

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The Dover Prize Funding
If you are successful and receive the £10,000 bursary, please tell us what you would use the funding for. Explain how this award will help move your artistic practice forward and what you hope to achieve. (350 words)
To the Esteemed Dover PRIZE Committee,
I’m writing to apply for the Dover PRIZE because I believe it can transform my art practice in UK. My main goal is to create art that heals, makes people think, and connects with the public. I really see art as a powerful way to bring people together, and it’s a vision I’m incredibly keen to bring to life within UK’s amazing multicultural scene. I want my works can contribute to the city’s lively culture and help strengthen community relations.
Finding affordable studio space, getting enough opportunities, and dealing with London’s high living costs are all big issues for developing my work fully. This bursary would be a good opportunity . It would take a huge load off my mind financially, letting me buy essential tools like a sewing machine or welding equipment, and get a proper studio space. More importantly, it would open up so many chances to get involved in art and design shows and events. This would allow me to share my art with the public, which is what I’ve always dreamed of.
This isn’t just about my personal growth as an artist. It’s about investing in art that gives back to society. I’m confident that with your support, my artistic projects won’t just thrive, but will also actively enrich London’s dynamic cultural landscape and build stronger communities.
Thank you for considering my application.
The Dover Prize Fund has its roots in Darlington. Please explain how you believe your work might enhance and raise the profile of the creative arts in the area. (200 words)
My art focuses on healing, sparking thought, and connecting with the public, and I believe it can boost Darlington’s creative arts scene. I’m excited to bring this hands-on, engaging approach directly to Darlington.
I plan to involve the Darlington community in my projects, offering unique, practical experiences that might be different from typical city art events. I’ll create special workshops or collaborative art installations for local groups like galleries, community centers, or diverse cultural organizations. This direct interaction won’t just introduce residents to contemporary art in an easy-to-understand way; it will also let them be part of the creative process and feel a real sense of ownership. My work focus on building connection, which I know will deeply resonate within the local community, helping everyone understand and connect better. This direct involvement will show how art can be a powerful tool for positive change, making art feel more connected to people’s lives.
Eligibility
Please tell us about your practice. Please include any recent exhibitions if applicable. (350 words)
My recent solo exhibition, “Monsters in the Rooms,” held in 2024 at mumble room, an art space in Taipei, Taiwan, served as a significant platform for this exploration. The exhibition specifically showcased a series of works that seamlessly combined sculpture with furniture concepts, inviting viewers to interact with pieces that blur the lines between functional design and fine art, thereby challenging perceptions of utility and meaning. This exhibition was a pivotal moment in demonstrating how my practice navigates both the physical and metaphysical spaces that objects occupy in our lives. About My Practice My artistic practice delves into the complex relationship between humans and objects, viewed through psychological, emotional, and social lenses. Drawing heavily from existential philosophy, my work engages with profound themes such as individual freedom, alienation, and the enduring search for meaning in contemporary life. A distinctive aspect of my approach is the creation of pieces that feature playful, monster-like aesthetics. These forms are not merely decorative; they are inherently sculptural and bravely unconventional in their construction, pushing boundaries of material and design. Through these unique artistic expressions, I aim to reflect on the vulnerabilities and inherent contradictions within human nature, offering critical reflections on societal norms and the pervasive existential dilemmas of modern existence.
Do you have a degree in visual or applied arts at undergraduate and/or post-graduate level? Please provide details. (200 words)
Yes, I hold degrees in applied arts at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from Shih Chien University, Taiwan, graduating in 2023. This foundational education provided me with a strong understanding of form, material, and conceptual development, which continues to inform my interdisciplinary approach.

Currently, I’m pursuing my Master of Arts (MA) in Design at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, with an expected graduation in 2026. My postgraduate studies have allowed me to expand my practice beyond traditional fashion, deeply engaging with furniture design and exploring the philosophical dimensions of objects. This rigorous academic journey has refined my critical thinking and hands-on making skills, directly influencing my current artistic exploration of psychological and socio-cultural themes.
Have you previously received professional grants or awards? Please give details. (200 words)
Yes, I have received several notable professional awards and recognitions.

In 2021, I was honored with the Young Pin Design Award, a prestigious recognition in Taiwan’s design industry, which celebrated the innovative approach of my undergraduate work. Furthermore, my designs gained significant professional exposure by being showcased on the runway at Taipei Fashion Week in2021. This opportunity allowed my creations to be presented to a broad industry audience.

Additionally, my work was shortlisted for the Taipei Fashion Design Award in 2021, further affirming the originality and potential of my practice within the fashion sphere. These acknowledgements have been instrumental in validating my design philosophy and have motivated me to continue pushing creative boundaries in my current interdisciplinary exploration.
Are you involved in organising self-created professional opportunities, for example, running an artist-led studio or project? (200 words)
In 2025, I undertook a significant role as the Art Director and Prop Master for an album project by a Taiwanese independent band. This was a self-initiated creative opportunity where I was responsible for conceptualizing and producing the visual elements related to the album’s food-themed content. I designed and fabricated numerous surreal food props using unconventional materials, transforming abstract musical ideas into tangible, impactful visual art. This experience honed my ability to manage complex artistic projects from conception to execution, collaborating closely with the band to create a unique visual identity that amplified their music and resonated with their audience. It demonstrated my capacity for innovative design and my proactive engagement within the independent arts scene.
Have you been previously commissioned as an artist by a public institution? (200 words)
N/A
Has your artwork been purchased by a public collection? Please provide details. (200 words)
N/A
Has your artwork been reviewed or featured in an art journal, magazine, newspaper or online curated platform? Please provide details. (200 words max)
N/A
Are you represented by a gallery? Please provide details. (200 words)
N/A
Have you taken part in a recognised residency or artist placement scheme? (200 words)
N/A
About
Email: as880325@gmail.com
Phone: 07884808516
Address: 35 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3TD, GB
Local Authority: University Arts of London

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