Basketball court created by Alvaro Barrington A unique and vibrant community court for Tower Hamlets

The London Lions Basketball Club and artist Alvaro Barrington have come together in partnership with Serpentine, CONSUL, Tower Hamlets Council and Weavers Adventure Playground in Bethnal Green to create a unique basketball court for the surrounding community and beyond. It was opened to the public this afternoon, Friday 28th October, with a grand community event with representatives from the mayor’s office in attendance. According to research from The Trust For London, Tower Hamlets is London’s worst-hit borough in terms of child poverty; the court aims to provide a vibrant and free space for kids to play whilst bringing people together from all walks of life for a celebration of sport, art and community.

Local charity Weavers Adventure Playground was also chosen as the perfect location and partner to help maximise the positive impact of the court, attracting between 70-150 children that come to enjoy their facilities every day. Realising the power that sport has as a catalyst for positive change, this landmark renovation marks the start of an ongoing initiative from the London club to renovate other community courts across the city. 

Influence and exchange are crucial to leading artist Alvaro Barrington, who draws upon a host of artistic and cultural references in his work. His resolutely interdisciplinary approach follows in the footsteps of Robert Rauschenberg’s ground breaking Combines, which he references by incorporating real objects into the picture plane, including carpets, steel drums, brooms and fans. He is an artist who is continually expanding his constellation of references, inspirations and communities, while always acknowledging the formative role of art history in his practice. Barrington has embarked upon artistic collaborations across exhibitions, performances, concerts, fashion and philanthropy.