Portraits by Wig Worland
Winns Gallery, Lloyd Park, London. E17 5JW
20th — 30th October 2022
Part of ‘Then & Now’
A visual exploration of youth culture from the past and present through the eyes of the skateboarding community of Waltham Forest.
“These photographs capture a moment of togetherness during our summer skate jam celebrating the 10th anniversary of Lloyd Park concrete skatepark, providing a window into the changing face of our community.
Skate jams like these are a tradition but are only possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of individuals, creating a distinct, heartfelt space. Like many parts of London, Walthamstow is always changing — never staying still.
New people pick up skateboarding all the time, many coming back after long periods away. The skatepark dynamics are in constant flux: some fathers skate with their kids; there are after-hours sessions with friends who have been meeting up for generations; growing groups of mothers taking up skating for the first time, finding a focus and a like-minded community; regular sessions with young teens, focusing their collective energy, pushing and learning from each other, establishing their crew. The girls are no longer an anomaly and are now a positive and welcomed presence; finally, the balance is tipping.
For those who visit, the lifelong bonds formed at the skatepark are what make it special. Lloyd Park is naturally the local focus but there are pockets of skaters and sessions happening all over Waltham Forest.”
Agnieszka ‘Aga’ Wood
Everyone on Boards