Kwangho Lee X KOIBIRD

We are always committed to creating a fully immersive experience so, for the first time ever, we are showcasing our favourite finds from the art world too. For KOIBIRD Goes to Korea, Seoul-based artist Kwangho Lee personally installed some of his pieces, a supersized chandelier made from vibrantly hued silk and nylon rope and his beautiful seating, in our Marylebone Store. Watch Lee as he talks to set designer Anna Burns about his art and creative process using ancient Korean techniques.

Kwangho Lee was born in 1981 and grew up in a small city next to Seoul, Korea. He completed his studies at Hongik University in Seoul, majoring in Metal Art & Design, graduating in February 2007. Making things by hand was of great joy as a child, reminding Lee of his grandfather who, a farmer himself, constantly hand-made daily household goods from natural materials found nearby. Lee appreciated the way his grandfather looked at everyday objects and thus began to approach things in similar ways; to give new meaning and function to the most ordinary.
Today, as Lee continuously presents new series of works, he develops his practice by discovering moments of materials merging together. Until now he has created works using marble, copper, enamel, steel and describes his work as the instant moment of union.

Kwangho Lee was nominated for Jury's Selection of Designer of The Future at Design Miami/Basel in 2009 and was selected as Artist of The Year 2011 by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Young Craftsman of the Year by Yeol, a society for Korean cultural heritage in 2013.

His works were shown at Commissaires, Johnson Trading Gallery, Victor Hunt, Karena Schuessler, Clear Gallery & Edition, Gallery Seomi, along with group projects and international exhibitions such as Design Miami/Basel, and Design Days Dubai.

A permanent collection of some of Kwangho Lee’s work is at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.