Gyuhan Lee (1996, Seoul, South Korea) studied Living Design in Kaywon University of Art and Design, where he questioned the copious amount of waste generated by our everyday actions. This reflection on daily waste led to him developing a series of design proposals, from which he began to forge his personal line of unique works.
One of his most notable projects is the McDonald’s paper bag lamps, where he turns recycled paper bags into light-emitting sculptures. In a process that he refers to as transforming “waste factory paper packages into handmade sculptures”, he questions the logo, color, and surface of the material.
His works turn the logo from a recognisable symbol to simply a pattern decorating his structures - by reconceptualising the image of the logo within the context of his work, Lee strips the symbol of its direct link to consumerism. This can be seen in the use of “Hanji” in his creations, which is traditional handmade paper from Korea, where the incorporation of new textures further removes the design away from the mass-produced nature of the original item. Ultimately, his works also question the role of the artist designer.