Havering London has announced two new creative commissions at Rom Skatepark in Hornchurch, a short film and a permanent mural, both co-created with local young people and children. Opened in 1978 and the most completely preserved purpose built skatepark of its era in England, Rom became the first skatepark in Europe, and only the second in the world, to receive Grade II listed status in 2014. The commissions will be celebrated at Skatepark Revived, a day of art, film, music, skateboarding, BMXing and scootering at Rom on Saturday 25 July.
A Short Film Made With and For Young People
The first commission is a short film co-created with local young people and children, led by filmmakers Paul Gonella of Strong Island Media and Adam Whitaker of Lawker Media, both of whom have skated at Rom since the 1980s and bring decades of filmmaking and creative experience to the project. Working alongside young filmmakers, the pair are drawing on the skatepark’s rich history and the group’s own experiences to tell an original story, using Rom itself as the canvas.
A New Mural for Rom
The second commission is a permanent mural, co-created with young people by Essex born artist Scott Irving of Brave Arts, also known as Brave 1. Scott discovered graffiti as a child in the 1980s and skated at Rom himself before going on to deliver hundreds of spray can art workshops for schools and youth groups across the UK. At Rom, a site that has hosted work by celebrated street artists including London Police and Ben Eine, young people’s contributions will now become part of that history, painted onto the park’s surfaces.
Skatepark Revived: Save the Date
Both commissions will be celebrated at Skatepark Revived on Saturday 25 July. Full programme and ticket details to follow.