Kwangho Lee’s “The Shape of a River” Series Uses Ancient Enamelling Process
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Kwangho Lee’s 25-piece “Shape of a River” collection, including chairs, lamps, stools, vases, and consoles, was presented by New York-based gallery Salon 94 Design at Design Miami/Basel earlier this month.The collection shows the designer’s deep-roote
Kwangho Lee’s “The Shape of a River” Series Uses Ancient Enamelling Process
Kwangho Lee’s 25-piece “Shape of a River” collection, including chairs, lamps, stools, vases, and consoles, was presented by New York-based gallery Salon 94 Design at Design Miami/Basel earlier this month.The collection shows the designer’s deep-rooted interest in his heritage and surroundings. The series boasts of raw copper works with cherry wooden furniture inlaid with enameled copper.“The enameled copper tiles, framed in wood, are baked in a chilbo, a traditional Korean kiln that harnesses intense heat. Chilbo translates roughly as “seven colors of gem.” In the process colored glass is applied wet or dry to copper sheets and fired in the furnace, sometimes repeatedly. The size of the chilbo furnace allows Lee to open the door and check on the change of colors throughout the firing process. In these latest inlaid works, he has refined and perfected this ancient old technique,” says the gallery.Lee’s raw copper works investigate the chemical and compositional interplay between heat and copper. Part of the design process is left to chance, creating glistening effects as the heat moves across the copper surface. Industrial sheets of copper are joined under tremendous heat.The gallery quotes the artist: “The only thing I intended on was leaving the welded edges of the pieces as is. Normally, one sands them down for a smooth surface, but I kept the welded trail.”Kwangho Lee (born in Guri, Korea, 1981) completed his studies at Hongik University in Seoul, majoring Metal Art & Design, and graduated in February 2007. He currently lives and works in Seoul. Making things by hand was a great joy as a child, reminding his grandfather who, a farmer himself, constantly hand-made daily household goods from natural materials found nearby. Kwangho Lee appreciated the way he looked at everyday objects and thus began to approach things in similar ways; to give new meaning and function to the most ordinary. Today, he develops his practice by discovering moments of materials joining another. He has made works with marble, copper, enamel, steel, and rope. Lee often describes his works as an instant moment of union.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder: Louise Blouin Read more
