Yinka Ilori

Yinka Ilori (b. 1987) is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer, and entrepreneur 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. Humorous, provocative, and playful, his projects demonstrate how design can bring together communities and have a positive impact on society. 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.

Ilori’s work has been showcased globally through solo and group exhibitions, public commissions and set and exhibition design. In 2023, The Design Museum, London staged a solo exhibition by the artist, featuring over 100 objects ranging from artworks, photographs, and furniture. In summer 2023 two monumental chair sculptures were unveiled as part of The Line's permanent display of public art in Southeast London. This was followed by a further exhibition of chair sculptures at MCM Haus, Seoul, South Korea.

Other recent exhibitions, installations and collaborations include Liverpool City Council, Liverpool; Springfield University Hospital, London; Estrel Hotel, Berlin; Courvoisier, New York; Turner Contemporary, Margate; V&A Dundee, Scotland; Lego, London; Dagenham & Barking Council, London (2022); Design London; Somerset House, London; The Tide, Greenwich Peninsula, London; Evian x Wimbledon, London (2021); Kvadrat, Copenhagen (2020).

In 2015 Ilori featured in a major touring exhibition, shedding new light on contemporary African design. The show entitled Making Africa, toured from Vitra Design Museum, Basel to Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; Kunsthal Rotterdam; High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico; and Blanton Museum of Art, Texas.

Born in Islington, North London, Ilori studied Art and Design, with a focus on furniture and product design at London Metropolitan University from 2006 to 2009. He lives and works in London.

Cristea Roberts Gallery published their first print project with Ilori in 2023.