Yinka Ilori holds exhibition "This is where it started"

An East London based designer, Yinka Ilori, will soon hold exhibition in Lagos. Tagged: 'This is where it started', the 11-day solo installation taking place at ‘a whitespace’ gallery, 58 Raymond Njoku, Ikoyi, Lagos, from October 24 to November 3, 2014, will commence with a private view on October 23, 2014 .

 During the two-week exhibition, coinciding with Lagos Fashion and Design Week and in his first presentation of new work since his solo exhibition in Stockholm, Yinka Ilori adds new pieces to his collection by using a combination of vintage modernist furniture and traditional stories from his childhood, creating one-off pieces inspired by traditional Nigerian parables and story-telling, creating meaningful yet humorous furniture designs.

‘This Is Where It Started’ continues his use of Yoruba parables as a starting point for his work, but this series, sees his work taking on a new, richer journey, through an installation, that  is experiential. Yinka wants to take us back to the oral traditions, using sounds, musical instruments, form and all the richness of the Yoruba culture, where we will also be given the opportunity to interact with the captivating pieces of furniture on show at the exhibition.

'This Is Where It Started' has been supported by the Arts Council England, the British Council through the Artists international development fund and A Whitespace Creative Agency.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in furniture and product design from London Metropolitan University and has since specialised in up-cycling vintage furniture inspired by traditional Nigerian parables and African fabrics that he grew up with as a child. Each piece of furniture he up-cycles tells a meaningful, yet humorous story which can be shared with people throughout the world.

His design approach starts with the dismantling of the original components, which he then re- assembles into a new piece ready for use again. Deeply aware and passionately against the unnecessary waste of modern consumer societies in the western. Yinka Ilori also happily accepts unwanted or damaged furniture from private individuals, so that he can save, rehabilitate and beautify them for future use, giving them a hint of Yinka Ilori's signature Nigerian parables.

Ilori has exhibited around the world from Milan, to Germany, New York, Sweden, London, and now preparing for his third solo exhibition supported by the Arts Council England, the British Council and a White Space Gallery. He has been featured in Vogue, London Metro, Evening Standard, Ok Nigeria, Shoreditch Design Triangle, Vox Africa, Timeout London, Dezeen and  many other publications and online portals.