Yinka Ilori introduces the HTSI guest edit

I am a dreamer. I’ve always believed if you can dream, anything is possible. It was my parents who taught me this, and they were right. Now I want to share this magic with the world…

My parents left Nigeria in the 1980s and moved to London to start a family. Their dream was to bring children into a world where they believed they could achieve anything. And now here I am, living out my dream, spreading love, joy and stories through my work.

Writing this, I’ve thought about how powerful the concept of “belief” is. When someone truly believes in you, and you believe in yourself, that’s when incredible things happen. Belief is the greatest gift I could have ever received, and it’s what I want to pass along to others…

When you dream... you have the power to change the world

Everyone has the innate power to dream. Dreams are infinite. No matter where life takes you, they lie with you forever. Dreams start with a vision, they’re nurtured with belief and are harvested through dedication and passion. We’re like farmers, we plant seeds, water them, and watch them grow. If you take one thing away from reading this issue, it is to realise a world with no limitations. What would your dreams be? I encourage you to envision them, write them down, draw them and not to be afraid to act on them. Start somewhere. Because when you dream, you create, and when you create, you have the power to change the world. 

There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing the people you love achieve their dreams. Walé Adeyemi is a particularly perfect example of this. He is a friend, big brother and mentor. I’ve felt so inspired watching his journey, which is now in full bloom, and I’m so honoured to share it with you here.

I hope you enjoy this issue. I want to thank you for reading it, and everyone who has contributed. Thank you to my parents – I wouldn’t be writing this without your unwavering love, support and belief in me. Lastly, I want to thank my incredible team, and everyone at HTSI, for this opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful. 

Keep dreaming!

Love, Yinka x

An exclusive print for HTSI by Yinka Ilori

To mark his guest editorship of this special issue, the artist has created a limited-edition philanthropic artwork

Pouring Out Your Dreams is a limited-edition print created for HTSI by Yinka Ilori. “Ideas are an accumulation of dreams,” says the artist and designer, “and with consistency and care, they reach a point of readiness and burst into the world like a firework.” All profits from each sale will go to Badu Sports, a London-based organisation that mentors, supports and empowers young people in the community through sports clubs and camps. Says Ilori: the print “captures the moment of unleashing energy in a mesmerising display of beauty. Dreams turned into blossoming flowers.” Beatrice Hodgkin  

Pouring Out Your Dreams, 2024. Archival digital print on Somerset-Enhanced Satin, 50x50cm, in an edition of 20, £250. Available at shop.yinkailori.com

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