Being a creator has always been a process of distilling my perception of the world around me into creations that can be understood by as many people as possible regardless of their background, point of view or position in life.
Ini Archibong is more than just a designer – he’s an artist and a storyteller who uses his creations to comment on social issues and empower marginalized communities. With a distinctive portfolio that includes gallery work, immersive environments, and high-profile collaborations, Archibong has cemented his place as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary design.
Drawing on his own heritage and appreciation for cultures around the world, Archibong’s work is both deeply personal and universal. His Theoracle installation at the Dallas Art Museum was altered in 2020 to cross out its title and comment on racial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic. And in 2021, Archibong designed the first Pavilion of the African Diaspora, a project dedicated to the perspectives and experiences of communities that derive from it.
Comprising three architectural follies, Sail, Wave Gate, and Shell, the triptych was inspired by the mythology of the conch and cowrie shells emerging from the sand. Since launching at the London Design Biennale, the project has offered a space for Black creators to connect, exchange, and mobilize while sparking critical dialogue about the lack of African representation and recognition within art and design – an issue that Archibong intends to continue to bring attention to through his work.
