Yinka Ilori, a British-Nigerian designer, is known for his unconventional designs for various types of furniture and public space commissions. Ilori draws inspiration for his work from traditional Nigerian parables as well as elements from African fabrics he grew up with.
Maison Courvoisier appointed Ilori as its "Ambassador of Joy" earlier this year, tasked with leading an ongoing series of immersive events for the historic cognac house at sites all around the world. Last week, the designer hosted an event in New York City's artsy Chelsea area, where attendees were transported to a summer day in Jarnac.
In an exclusive interview with HypeArt, Ilori said, "A lot of my work is about evoking memories and transporting people to a certain place or time and encouraging them to think of their surroundings in a new way – whether that's engaging with a local space that you've walked by a hundred times, or reliving moments from your childhood." "I'm always attempting to explore a given setting, therefore the shapes, themes, and colors I employ are always inspired by that." I'm paying homage to Courvoisier's tradition and legacy with this artwork, which incorporates symbols from the brand language while also creating a setting that transports visitors to Maison Couvoisier in Jarnac."
"I think art and design provides an incredible opportunity to explore diverse storylines, and I view myself as a storyteller," Ilori said of incorporating his ancestry into his work. I was always aware that I was both British and Nigerian growing up in London, in and between many various cultures, and that I would never be classified solely as British. This duality of my identity has been a part of my life since I was a youngster, and it's something I've addressed in a lot of my work. I attempt to use the colors, patterns, and stories from my Nigerian background that I include into my work to start conversations about communities, experiences, and places utilizing contemporary art and design.
