Benjamin Slinger's 'Empire' turns fast-food bags into sculptural lamps
British artist Benjamin Slinger presents 'Empire', a series of wire-frame paper lamps constructed from vintage McDonald's and Burger King bags collected over three decades. The lamps, which blend sculpture, design, and cultural artifact, are inspired by Isamu Noguchi's 'Akari' lanterns and fast-food branding. An edition of 50 lamps across three sizes and over 25 designs will debut in London from 23–25 July 2026 at 96 Robert Street, NW1 3QP, and be available online. Each lamp is stamped, numbered, and signed. Slinger's practice spans sculpture, painting, and writing, and this work questions how mass-market objects can become art, lowering boundaries between quality design and consumption.
Key facts
- Benjamin Slinger created the 'Empire' series of lamps from fast-food paper bags.
- The bags were collected over the past three decades.
- The lamps are inspired by Isamu Noguchi's 'Akari' lanterns.
- The exhibition runs 23–25 July 2026 at 96 Robert Street, London NW1 3QP.
- An edition of 50 lamps will be released across three sizes and more than 25 designs.
- Each lamp is stamped, numbered, and signed.
- Slinger's practice includes sculpture, painting, and writing.
- The work reflects on corporate branding and consumerist imagery.
Entities
Artists
- Benjamin Slinger
- Isamu Noguchi
Institutions
- Copyright Slinger
- Wallpaper
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- 96 Robert Street, London NW1 3QP