The British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori has transformed Sotheby’s café on New Bond Street with his distinctive style, infusing the space with vibrant adire motifs, bold symbols, and colorful furnishings. The installation, titled "Pride is Within My Story," runs until October 31, and celebrates the diverse talents that have made London their home while highlighting the city's inclusive artistic community.
At the heart of Ilori's redesign is a bespoke, large-scale trophy called "Places That Build Their Dreams," a deeply personal project that draws on his memories of growing up in North and East London. The trophy, which stands over a meter tall, is topped with an intricate dove symbolizing peace and features a photograph of Ilori's childhood estate in Islington. Through this piece, Ilori reflects on the lives of immigrant families in the UK, especially those who have shaped their dreams through hard work and resilience.
"My work is joyful and unapologetic. It’s also very much about storytelling – I want to encourage dialogues
between all those who experience my work. I’ve learned many things from being British and being
Nigerian. We are all products of different and personal experiences, but at the core of it all, we share a
resilience, a hardship, and emotion. For me, design can bring together communities and have a positive
impact on society. And, my work, is all about collaboration, not just with practices but other communities
too, and I hope people find optimism in Sotheby’s newly-designed space and share that feeling with others," Ilori said.
Ilori’s work for Sotheby’s pays homage to the immigrant experience in Britain. He draws parallels between traditional British ornaments and the cultural markers of immigrant families who, over generations, have embraced such symbols as emblems of success and aspiration. The blue and white color palette of his design echoes the iconic Willow Plate, which has traditionally symbolized wealth and achievement in many British homes. However, Ilori reinterprets this visual language through the lens of his Nigerian heritage, incorporating motifs from the adire fabrics worn by Yoruba women in southwest Nigeria, known for their rich indigo hues and symbolic patterns.
Reflecting on his project, Ilori explained, "Designing the space at Sotheby’s and creating the ceramic piece with 1882 Ltd. has allowed me to revisit my upbringing in a multicultural London household. I was surrounded by families striving to build their dreams in a new homeland, a testament to the resilience and hustle that continues to inspire me today." Ilori hopes that his work will shed light on the ongoing struggles and aspirations of immigrants in the UK.
For this project, Ilori collaborated with 1882 Ltd., a British ceramics manufacturer based in Stoke-on-Trent and rooted in a long family tradition of craftsmanship. Emily Johnson, Creative Director and Co-Founder of 1882 Ltd., praised the collaboration, stating, "Working with Yinka Ilori has been a privilege. His vision aligns perfectly with our passion for design and heritage craft skills, and this project has captured the spirit of his storytelling and the rich history of immigrants in the UK."
The café, open to the public until October 31, also offers limited-edition tote bags created in celebration of the collaboration, available for purchase at Sotheby’s London. Meanwhile, Ilori’s trophy is available for sale exclusively through Sotheby’s during this period.
Known for his multidisciplinary approach, Ilori's work often explores themes drawn from his British-Nigerian heritage, using design to create new narratives that resonate globally. He combines humor and playfulness with a serious message about community and inclusivity, transforming spaces into places where people can connect and engage.
Ilori’s takeover at Sotheby’s is more than just a redesign—it is a reflection of his belief in art’s power to inspire and bring people together, embodying a vibrant dialogue between cultures that enriches the city's dynamic art scene.
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