Yinka Ilori Mines Fulham’s Past for New Installation 100 Found Objects at Fulham Pier
Yinka Ilori Turns to the River’s Edge for a Fulham Installation Rooted in History and Everyday Objects
At Fulham Pier, a new stretch of riverside in southwest London, the artist and designer Yinka Ilori has unveiled a public artwork that draws attention to the everyday. 100 Found Objects, as the piece is titled, brings together fragments from Fulham’s past—broken ceramics, decorative clay pipes, pottery shards—and places them within a richly detailed setting of plants and flowers inspired by the area’s natural landscape.
The work spans the length of the pier and is visible from both the Hammersmith and Putney entrances. It appears in lenticular panels that shift as the viewer moves, as well as three-dimensional components woven into the architecture: across balustrades, along the building’s façade, and on a large digital screen at the heart of the development. Depending on the angle, the artwork seems to animate or fall still.
Credit: Joshua Bratt
Ilori took inspiration from the practice of mudlarking—combing the Thames for lost or discarded objects. Over a series of walks, he collected small items and imagined the people and stories they might once have belonged to. Pipes, jugs, pieces of Delftware—reproduced here on a larger scale—anchor the piece in a specific material history.
‘This project is about honouring stories,’ Ilori said. ‘Those we inherit, those we create. Those we choose to share. Fulham is filled with quiet treasures and it’s been a joy to uncover them with the community. To bring them to life in a space that belongs to everyone.’
Botanical references also play a central role. Ilori looked to Fulham Palace’s Walled Garden, once cultivated by Mary Somerset, Duchess of Beaufort—a pioneering botanist in the 17th century who introduced many non-native plants to Britain. One of her contributions, the blue passionflower, appears throughout the installation as both motif and symbol.
Ilori also draws on Fulham’s place in broader histories—of trade, colonialism, and migration. He includes plants such as okra, cotton, and grains of paradise, all of which carry ties to West Africa and the transatlantic trade routes. His research was informed by scholars including Akosua Pareis-Osei, whose work explores African women’s healing practices and botanical knowledge.
Credit: Joshua Bratt
Though Ilori is widely known for bright, playful designs, 100 Found Objects has a quieter, more reflective tone. A dove—often found in his public works—appears again here, not as decoration but as a gesture towards peace and the shared use of public space.
Credit: Joshua Bratt
‘Yinka’s work speaks to the soul of Fulham—its layered history, its vibrant communities, and its constant evolution,’ said Glen Sutton, Director of Fulham Pier. ‘This commission reflects what Fulham Pier is all about: bringing people together through experiences, culture and a meaningful shared space.’
The piece also extends into the digital realm. A 10-metre screen, called The Scene, plays an animated version of the artwork that shifts in response to music and events taking place nearby.
100 Found Objects is now open to the public and will be the centrepiece of Fulham Pier’s opening celebration from 20 to 22 June. The weekend includes free workshops, performances, and participatory art sessions. Among the scheduled acts is the musician Example, a Fulham native.
Ilori’s project doesn’t try to tell a complete story. Instead, it leaves space for the fragments—some carefully preserved, others half-buried—to speak for themselves. It’s an invitation to notice what’s been lost, what endures, and what still matters.
Now open, Fulham Pier is full of activity this summer. From 20th to 22nd June, a celebratory weekend will feature a free public programme including live music, comedy performances, and creative workshops along the riverside. To find out more, visit their website via the link below.
©2025 Fulham Pier, Yinka Ilori
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