LONDON.- Yinka Ilori MBE, the British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer, has put his stamp on Sotheby’s, transforming its café on New Bond Street with floor-to-ceiling adire motifs and symbols, furniture and upholstery, in his iconic, bold and joyful style. The immersive takeover titled, ‘Pride is Within My Story,’ opens to the public today through to the 31 October. It pays tribute to the diverse talents that have made London their home, while celebrating the city’s dynamic and inclusive artistic community. Forming the centrepiece of Yinka’s newly-designed café is a bespoke large-scale trophy titled, ‘Places That Build Their Dreams’ – a project that has been a labour of love for Yinka and speaks to a narrative very close to his heart.
The design of both the café and trophy, shine a light on the lives of immigrant families in the UK, and particularly those living in North and East London where Yinka spent his childhood and still calls home today. Reflecting on his own personal history, and the household he grew up in, the idea was born from Yinka’s memories of his own family, and that of many immigrants in the UK, shaping their dreams through hard work and hustle. Traditionally, to show physical and visual signs of wealth and “achieved dreams”, families would buy British ornaments and ceramics, displaying them pride of place in their cabinets at home. The classic blue and white patterned Willow Plate, for example, came to inherit a trophy-like status, symbolising wealth and achievement.
After musing on whether these traditional ceramics truly reflected the stories of immigrants in the UK, Yinka, through the creation of the trophy, believes it is a true representation and celebration of the profound impact these families have had on British culture. Standing over one metre in height, “Places That Build Their Dreams”, pays tribute to Yinka’s childhood home in Islington, with a photograph of the estate at its centre and crowned with an intricate dove, representing peace.
"The narrative surrounding this project is one very close to my heart. The process of designing Sotheby’s space and creating this ceramic piece with 1882 Ltd., has enabled me to reflect on my childhood, being raised in a multi-cultural household in the heart of London. Growing up, I was surrounded by like-minded families who devoted their lives to achieving success in the UK – a new place they called home. It was their dedication and hustle that continues to inspire me today, and I hope that this project will help tell the true tale of their hardship and dream building, which many immigrants living in the UK still experience today." -- YINKA ILORI
For Yinka, the collection’s blue and white colour palette and the symbolism within it, also pays homage to the indigo-coloured fabrics of his Nigerian heritage. Handcrafted and worn by Yoruba women in South West Nigeria, these Adire fabrics/symbols would similarly be adorned with different patterns, which when laid together, symbolised themes such as the cycle of life and the crossroads of life and hope.
For this project, Yinka has collaborated with 1882 Ltd – a British ceramics factory in Stoke-on-Trent founded by fourth and fifth generations of the Johnson Brothers family. Speaking to the project, Emily Johnson, Creative Director, Co-Founder and Owner of 1882 Ltd., said: “It has been an absolute joy to collaborate with Yinka Ilori on this magnificent piece. At the heart of 1882 Ltd. is our love of collaboration, design and most of all, heritage craft skills. It has been an inspiring journey working on capturing the spirit of Yinka and the rich and inspiring history of immigrants living in the UK.”
Yinka’s takeover of Sotheby’s Story Café will stay open for the public to enjoy through to the 31 October, with the trophy available to buy exclusively via Sotheby’s during this period. In celebration of this collaboration, Sotheby’s has also created a series of limited-edition tote bags, available to buy from Sotheby’s London (RRP: £15).
Yinka Ilori is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose bold visual language draws on his British-Nigerian heritage to convey new narratives through contemporary design. Drawing on Nigerian parables and verbal traditions, Ilori touches on a multitude of themes that resonate with a global audience.
His work is underpinned by the belief that art and design should be accessible to all. Humorous, provocative and playful, his projects demonstrate how design can bring together communities and have a positive impact on society, evoking a sense of joy and optimism. Often using the city as his canvas, he reimagines spaces to encourage a sense of community and invites audiences to engage and participate in his work and its surroundings.
