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What does a chair mean to you? Is it simply a piece of furniture needed for family meals or a vital tool for work at your desk? There might have been a time when you hardly noticed chairs, but over time, they’ve become integral to the way we live. We dine and sip, knit and sketch, relax, and even nap on chairs.
Chairs often mark the beginning of many significant events. They serve as our conversation hubs, debate stages, and sometimes, places where we quietly shed tears. Chairs are not just functional; they’re also emotional outlets and sources of inspiration. For Yinka Ilori, a British-Nigerian designer and artist, who who uses the chair as a medium to connect with her audience and create empathy and togetherness, chairs mean even more.
Based in the U.K., Yinka Ilori is currently regarded as one of the hottest designers, not only in the international art scene but also in the fashion industry. His unique sense of color, influenced by Nigeria’s culture, and his ability to transform discarded items into works of art through upcycling have garnered admiration from all who see his art.
Global luxury fashion house MCM has announced that it will host an art exhibition titled “MCM X Yinka Ilori” at MCM HAUS in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, in collaboration with the “SUUM Project” (represented by Lee Ji-yoon), until October 22nd. Coinciding with the “Frieze Seoul” period as it did last year, the exhibition aims to provide customers with a unique experience by bringing together art and the brand. It seeks to expand customer engagement through a collaboration that transcends boundaries and embodies MCM’s corporate philosophy of realizing values beyond a fashion brand.
Yinka Ilori is renowned for his artistic sensibility rooted in the unique African aesthetic, and he has achieved renown through various architectural and spatial projects. His work is characterized by its cheerful yet provocative design. Through installation works and interactive spatial designs, he creates communities, imbuing spaces with meaning and conveying positive messages and joy to the audience. He has collaborated with a wide range of brands, including Bulgari, Pepsi, LEGO, LG, and more.
The theme of this exhibition, centered around “empathy and coexistence,” will showcase a collection of chairs that have been reinterpreted by Ilori as works of art. An MCM spokesperson stated, “Yinka Ilori, who shares the values of cultural diversity and inclusivity, will contribute to MCM’s vision of sustainability that leads the way in the global zeitgeist.”
In the first section titled “THERE IS GOOD IN ALL OF US” on the 1st floor of MCM HAUS, there is a space related to MCM’s “upcycling project,” showcasing a special MCM chair collection created by Ilori specifically for this exhibition. Visitors can see discarded chairs collected in London that have been reborn with MCM’s iconic Visetos pattern. The artist pays tribute to MCM’s brand history, which embraces diverse cultures, and drew inspiration from the MCM logo symbolizing “victory, honor, and courage” in creating these works.
Another source of enjoyment within the chair collection is observing the works through the kaleidoscopes embedded in them. Taking a closer look at the works reveals hidden intricate patterns and colors that are not immediately apparent. This speaks to the idea of how discovering the true beauty within each of us requires time and attention, emphasizing that the beauty often exists beyond surface-level judgments.
The second section on the third floor, titled “LOOKING AT ME,” is a space where visitors can view a collection of works created by Ilori from 2014 to 2022. These ten pieces, arranged in a manner that seems like they are engaged in conversation, revolve around the shared themes of culture, family, and heritage, drawing from Ilori’s own experiences and memories. Among these, the initial six chairs reflect the artist’s contemplations on the intersections of the two cultures regarding class, faith, and his identity as a “British-Nigerian” individual. The four new works represent an attempt to blend traditional African aesthetics with contemporary design, serving as a representation of the artist’s life journey.
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