Kwangho Lee’s Hunk lounge chair and Glyph side table extend a warm invitation

South Korean artist Kwangho Lee doesn’t shy away from making a statement. The substantial Hunk lounge chair and the convention-defying Glyph side table introduce a fusion of playful whimsy and grand visionary flair to the collection of the Swedish brand Hem.

AN ARTIST AND DESIGNER hailing from South Korea, Kwangho Lee’s inaugural collaboration with the Swedish brand Hem has turned heads in the design world. It’s no wonder, considering the monolithic Hunk lounge chair and the sculpture-esque Glyph side table – two objects that are nearly impossible to ignore.

The inspiration behind the Hunk chair draws from Lee’s Obsession collection, where he crafted a lounge chair from PVC rope in 2010. The idea was to create a simple form that would evolve over time and use.

The idea was to create a simple form that would evolve over time and use.

While loosely emulating the exaggerated angular form of the PVC rope chair, the Hunk lounge chair distinguishes itself in its sharper profile, meticulously crafted seating comfort, and natural material choices.

The Glyph side tables also find their roots in Lee’s previous works. Drawing inspiration from his New Armor series, influenced by armor from the Korean Joseon Dynasty, Lee reimagined pieces reminiscent of ancient armor into a new form.

According to Lee, the Glyph series eventually took on more of a hieroglyphic appearance than the form of armor. Named Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, each table in the collection has its unique shape with references to the Greek alphabet.

Crafted from powder-coated steel, the uniqueness of Glyph tables lies not only in their form but also in their flexibility. These sculptural tables don’t have a specific top or bottom – you can thus place them on the floor in almost any orientation.

Lee’s design process always starts with materials, exploring their individual characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Through this exploration, he gradually moves towards forms and proportions suitable for each specific purpose. Repetition is a crucial aspect of Lee’s work process, often requiring numerous prototypes and patient refinement to achieve the desired result.

The design process always starts with materials, exploring their individual characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

A designer’s work demands constant envisioning, not only for the objects themselves but also for their surrounding environment. According to Lee, he envisioned his designs for Hem in a wide and hollow space with a small crowd amidst them. If it were a movie, it could be something reminiscent of Blade Runner or Ex Machina – a space where the past, present, and future converge.

A significant nod to Lee’s design career goes to his farmer grandfather, who crafted everyday items from whatever materials were at hand. Inspired by his grandfather’s craftsmanship, Kwangho Lee pursued studies in metal art and design at Seoul’s Hongik University.

While Lee’s ultra-modern furniture differs significantly from the rustic crafts of rural life, they share a common goal: the aspiration to look at everyday objects in a new light and create interpretations that reflect their own mental landscapes, freely blending various materials.

See also:

• Kwangho Lee’s designs >
• All Hem products >

Text: Nora Uotila Images: Jihoon Kang