The Milton Keynes Station Square in the United Kingdom is set to unveil an art installation inspired by Nigerian textile patterns.
The project, titled ‘Walk With Your Dreams’, is being created by Yinka Ilori, a British-Nigerian artist.
The artwork will be integrated into the train station’s flooring and designed to guide pedestrians towards two underpasses leading to the city centre.
Speaking about the project, Ilori said the installation reflects his values of connecting communities through art.
“With a thriving Nigerian community and growing arts scene, Milton Keynes is a location that aligns with my values of bringing art to wider audiences and to fostering connection and community,” he said.
Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) and the Milton Keynes City Council commissioned the project as part of plans to improve the station area and increase biodiversity.
In an Instagram post, MKDP said the Nigerian textile patterns aims to make the space “more welcoming, sociable and inspiring, while reflecting the character of the city”.
“Ilori has taken inspiration from the symmetry and geometry of Milton Keynes’ US-style grid system, which famously makes it one of the most navigable cities in the UK and interprets this through the lens of textile patterns created by the traditional Yoruban dyeing technique, Adire,” the statement reads.
“As well as the installation, MKDP has arranged a bold and colourful new planting scheme for Station Square with species chosen for their aesthetic appeal, biodiversity benefit, and low-maintenance requirements.
“The title of the work references the vision that underpinned the New Town movement that created Milton Keynes in 1967 and the ambition to achieve city status, which was granted as part of Queen Elizabeth Il’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.”
Adam Sciberras, placemaking director at MKDP, added that: “Yinka’s work will be a great introduction to our thriving, young, innovative, diverse and sustainable city and the vibrancy, enthusiasm and biodiversity that people experience here.”
The artwork will be unveiled on October 2 with music and performances. It is expected to remain at the station for several years and will be maintained by MKDP.
