Yinka Ilori: Mountains Full of Blessings

Overview

Since the Museum’s grand opening in November 2025, a wave of new and returning visitors has breathed new life not only into the new Mark Rothko Pavilion and galleries, but also the surrounding Downtown Cultural District and South Park Blocks. The momentum continues this summer as we transform a section of the urban street grid on Southwest Madison Street in front of the Mark Rothko Pavilion into a new pedestrian plaza filled with art. Internationally acclaimed British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, MBE, known for his colorful, “joy-led” design philosophy, has designed a monumental work of asphalt art to fill the street. Ilori’s work captures the spirit of community through a vibrant fusion of contemporary aesthetics and traditional Nigerian parables. Once complete, the new Cultural District Plaza will serve as an extension of the Museum, greeting visitors with the same spirit of welcome and artistic inspiration found within our galleries.

In keeping with the Museum’s mission of inclusivity, the design was shaped by the community it serves. PAM hosted a Community Design Workshop in February 2026 to gather stories and inspiration for Ilori, who was in attendance. The mural design, “Mountains Full of Blessings” incorporates themes of nature, momentum, and Portlanders’ connection to our special landscape and each other.

The community will also take part in the painting of the mural during a family-friendly painting party on July 11, led by the City Repair Project. It all leads up to the plaza’s grand opening celebration and day of free community programming on Saturday, August 8, marking another milestone in the Museum’s historic transformation.

The installation is a partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Portland Office of Arts and Culture, and the City Repair Project, and is made possible by funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative and the Portland Office of Arts and Culture.

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