How I turn joy into art | Yinka Ilori

Joy functions as a transgenerational inheritance rather than an individual achievement or a fleeting emotion to chase. Raised in London by Nigerian parents, artist and designer Yinka Ilori illustrates how rituals, community gatherings, and cultural symbols serve as seeds of joy planted by previous generations. By visualizing these memories through art, he uncovers narratives that connect people to their heritage and one another. An analysis of audience responses confirms this collective nature of happiness, with 80% of participants citing togetherness—rather than personal success—as the primary source of joy. Ultimately, joy requires active cultivation; it is a resource that individuals harvest by noticing the stories they carry and passing them forward to sustain future generations.