London’s riverside has a new cultural heartbeat and it’s pulsing through Fulham Pier. This exciting new destination along the Thames is no longer just a place to stroll, dine or enjoy the view; it’s now an immersive, artistic experience thanks to acclaimed British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori and his vibrant installation, 100 Found Objects.
Stretching across the full length of the pier, Ilori’s installation transforms the space into a gallery under the open sky. The project is part artwork, part cultural excavation, drawing deeply from Fulham’s history, its people, and even the natural world around it. Ilori’s signature aesthetic – bold, joyful and thought-provoking – brings new energy to Fulham Pier’s architecture, from the entrances and façades to the boardwalk’s glass balustrades.
But 100 Found Objects is more than just visual flair. It’s rooted in stories, some unearthed from Fulham’s past, others imagined through its future. Inspired by the tradition of mudlarking, Ilori collected and reimagined items like broken pottery and antique pipes as symbols of community, craftsmanship and heritage. His artistic approach reframes these lost fragments as vessels of memory and imagination.
In a powerful nod to Fulham’s botanical and colonial history, the installation also weaves in references to plants like okra, cotton and Grains of Paradise. These choices expand the local narrative into a global one, drawing connections between Fulham and the wider world, particularly through African diasporic heritage.
A standout feature is the use of lenticular printing, which creates a constantly shifting view depending on where you stand, inviting reflection and discovery with each step. Floral motifs inspired by Fulham Palace’s Walled Garden and the work of pioneering botanist Mary Somerset add depth and beauty, blending historical insight with artistic storytelling.
With a free-to-view public installation, a massive interactive screen called The Scene and a celebratory Opening Weekend (20–22 June), Fulham Pier is redefining what a modern public space can be – where art, history and community meet at the water’s edge.
