An Evening With: Yinka IloriAn Evening With: Yinka Ilori

Drawing on his British-Nigerian background, artist and designer Yinka Ilori uses contemporary design to tell new stories. He draws inspiration from Nigerian fables and storytelling traditions, addressing themes that resonate with people worldwide.

Ilori believes that art and design should be accessible to all. His colourful, playful and often humorous projects show how design can connect people and contribute to a stronger society. He often uses the city as his canvas, giving public spaces fresh meaning. In doing so, he invites people to actively participate in his work and their environment.

In 2025, he founded the Yinka Ilori Foundation, a non-profit organisation that creates vibrant, accessible spaces in collaboration with local communities.

Amanda Pinatih, who curated the SIDELINED exhibition, is the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam’s curator of design and contemporary art. Through her exhibitions and projects, she explores the interconnectedness of design, art and societal themes such as social justice, colonial history, the environment and economics. In doing so, she seeks new ways to share knowledge and stories.

For the exhibition SIDELINED: A Space to Rethink Togetherness, the Deck of the Nieuwe Instituut has been transformed into an alternative sports bar – a place to play, experience and feel connected.

An Evening With is a lecture series featuring emerging and established creators from the worlds of design, architecture and digital culture. Designers and artists talk about their work, what inspires them, and their vision for the future. Their stories allow the audience to discover new ideas and developments in these fields. An Evening About shows how the ideas of designers continue to inspire new generations of creators.