Types of Happiness, a new installation by Yinka Ilori, has been unveiled at the Royal Docks, kicking off The Line’s dynamic summer schedule as well as At The Docks, a whole new season of world-class arts, culture, and events taking over the Royal Docks this summer.
Yinka Ilori’s work, ‘Types of Happiness’ is the most recent addition to The Line, London’s longest free public art trail. The Line will connect some of the capital’s most vibrant and creative neighborhoods, from Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks to East Bank. Artworks will be installed thoughtfully along The Line to encourage the exploration of intriguing spaces in the natural landscape of East London’s waterways.
Image courtesy of Art Plugged
Types of Happiness features two 10ft high sculptural chairs with bright colours and a Dutch wax print-like pattern. Designed by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, the installation references his early career upcycling chairs and his fascination with furniture as a vehicle for storytelling. The chairs are part of a collection of six, where the artist explores different types of happiness, such as pride, strength, excitement, happiness, calmness, and determination. Each of the chairs is ascribed a different type, using the same colours, but in different combinations, to impact the experience. On The Line, the two seats symbolise contentment and pride. They are in the Royal Docks, between the entrance to the Cable Car and the Good Hotel.
Yinka Ilori says:
“I am incredibly excited to have my installation, Types of Happiness, included as part of The Line’s vibrant summer programme. The installation explores how we can have personal connections with objects through the use of colour and storytelling. I hope that visitors will be immersed in the joy and optimism that my work aims to evoke, and that they will find a sense of connection and community as they explore this public art trail. I am excited to contribute to an experience that can be enjoyed by Londoners, tourists, and anyone seeking inspiration along the waterways and green spaces of East London.”
Ilori’s work investigates art as a narrative and colour as a language for telling stories. His practice is founded on the conviction that art and design should be accessible to all. His projects are humorous, provocative, and playful, demonstrating how design can bring communities together and have a good impact on society, evoking a sense of joy and optimism.
