British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE has once again made waves in the art world with his latest project, transforming the café at Sotheby’s iconic New Bond Street location in London. The installation, titled “Pride is Within My Story”, opened on September 5, 2024, and runs until October 31, creating an immersive environment filled with vibrant colours, meaningful symbols, and personal narratives. Through this work, Ilori celebrates the rich cultural diversity that has shaped London’s artistic community, while paying tribute to the resilience of immigrant families in the UK.
A Story of Dreams and Resilience
At the heart of Ilori’s redesign is a bespoke, large-scale ceramic trophy titled “Places That Build Their Dreams”, which reflects the artist’s deeply personal journey of growing up in North and East London. The trophy, standing over a meter tall, is topped with a delicate dove symbolising peace, and features a photograph of the estate in Islington where Ilori was raised. Through this creation, Ilori honors the immigrant families who have built new lives in the UK, striving for success through hard work and resilience.
“The narrative surrounding this project is one very close to my heart,” Ilori shared. “Designing the space at Sotheby’s and creating the ceramic piece with 1882 Ltd. has allowed me to reflect on my upbringing in a multicultural London household. I was surrounded by families striving to build their dreams in a new homeland. Their dedication and hustle continue to inspire me, and I hope this project sheds light on the ongoing challenges and aspirations of immigrants in the UK.”
Reimagining British Symbols Through a Nigerian Lens
Ilori’s work for Sotheby’s blends traditional British cultural symbols with those of his Nigerian heritage. He draws inspiration from the classic blue-and-white patterned Willow Plate, often seen in British homes as a symbol of success and aspiration. However, Ilori reinterprets this traditional emblem through the rich indigo hues of adire fabrics, worn by Yoruba women in southwest Nigeria, infusing the piece with a narrative that is both deeply personal and broadly relatable.
“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,” Ilori reflected. “The blue and white color palette of this work is a homage to both the British Willow Plate and the adire fabrics of my Nigerian heritage. Together, they symbolize the intersection of cultures and the blending of aspirations.”
A Collaborative Craftsmanship
To bring this vision to life, Ilori collaborated with 1882 Ltd., a British ceramics manufacturer known for its heritage craft skills. The Johnson family, who have been producing fine ceramics for generations in Stoke-on-Trent, worked closely with Ilori to create the stunning ceramic trophy that stands as the centrepiece of the café installation.
Yinka Ilori’s Vibrant Takeover Transforms Sotheby’s London Café
In a striking fusion of culture, design, and storytelling, British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori has brought his signature vibrant aesthetic to Sotheby’s New Bond Street location in London. His immersive installation, “Pride is Within My Story”, opened to the public on September 5, 2024, and will be on display until October 31, 2024. The installation offers visitors a visually captivating experience while paying homage to the immigrant experience in the UK.
A Tribute to the Immigrant Journey
At the heart of the exhibition is a large-scale bespoke trophy titled “Places That Build Their Dreams”, a deeply personal work reflecting Ilori’s memories of growing up in North and East London. Standing over one meter tall, the ceramic trophy is topped with a delicate dove symbolizing peace and includes a photograph of Ilori’s childhood estate in Islington. This centerpiece serves as a powerful tribute to the resilience and aspirations of immigrant families in the UK, many of whom, like Ilori’s own, have worked hard to build a new life while holding onto the dreams they brought with them.
Reflecting on the piece, Ilori remarked, “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. I hope that this project will help tell the true tale of hardship and dream-building which many immigrants living in the UK still experience today.”
Reimagining Tradition Through Culture
Ilori’s work draws parallels between traditional British symbols of success, such as the iconic blue and white Willow Plate, and the cultural markers of immigrant communities. The trophy’s design incorporates elements of these British emblems but is reinterpreted through the lens of Ilori’s Nigerian heritage, specifically drawing inspiration from Adire fabrics worn by Yoruba women. These fabrics, known for their rich indigo hues and intricate patterns, represent themes such as the cycle of life and the pursuit of hope.
“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,” Ilori explains. “It was their dedication and hustle that continues to inspire me today.”
The Café as a Canvas
Ilori’s reimagination of the Sotheby’s café goes beyond the centerpiece, transforming the entire space into an immersive experience filled with floor-to-ceiling adire motifs and bold symbols, all rendered in Ilori’s signature style of playful, joyful color. Visitors to the café are invited not only to enjoy the space visually but also to engage with its underlying narrative of the immigrant experience and the artistic diversity that has shaped London’s creative community.
Emily Johnson, Creative Director and Co-Founder of 1882 Ltd., the ceramics factory that collaborated with Ilori on the project, said of the partnership, “It has been an absolute joy to collaborate with Yinka Ilori. This project has captured the spirit of his storytelling and the rich history of immigrants living in the UK.”
Celebrating Diversity and Unity
Sotheby’s collaboration with Ilori is a celebration of diversity and a recognition of the importance of representation in art and design. Hannah O’Leary, Head of Modern and Contemporary African Art at Sotheby’s, expressed her excitement about the project, saying, “It is tremendously exciting to mark the beginning of Autumn at Sotheby’s with this unprecedented takeover. Yinka’s work resonates with a global audience, and we hope the immersive takeover of Sotheby’s café will bring joy to all.”
A Call for Conversation and Connection
For Ilori, design is a tool for fostering community and dialogue. His work at Sotheby’s embodies this philosophy, creating a space where visitors can reflect on their own stories and engage with the shared experiences of others. “We are all products of different and personal experiences, but at the core of it all, we share a resilience, a hardship, and emotion,” Ilori said. “For me, design can bring together communities and have a positive impact on society.”
The “Pride is Within My Story” installation invites all who visit to take part in this dialogue, offering a space where art, culture, and storytelling intersect to foster connection and understanding.
Limited Edition Keepsakes
In celebration of this unique collaboration, Sotheby’s has released a series of limited-edition tote bags, allowing visitors to take home a piece of Ilori’s vibrant work. Additionally, the trophy “Places That Build Their Dreams” will be available for purchase exclusively through Sotheby’s during the exhibition, offering collectors the chance to acquire a significant piece of this groundbreaking project.
A Rising Star in Contemporary Art
Yinka Ilori’s takeover at Sotheby’s marks another milestone in the artist’s rapidly ascending career. Known for his multidisciplinary approach that spans art, design, and architecture, Ilori continues to use his platform to elevate conversations about identity, heritage, and community. His work, which often reimagines public spaces, has garnered international acclaim and high-profile commissions, making him one of the most exciting contemporary voices in the art world today.
As “Pride is Within My Story” continues to captivate audiences, it stands as a vibrant testament to the power of art to tell stories, challenge perceptions, and bring people together in celebration of shared experiences and dreams.
Images: Sotheby’s
