Dougie George – Hard in the Quaint

Celebrating their 15th project, Al Hodgson takes a slightly different avenue for this O.W.L production. Inspired by real life events and a homage to Sidewalk Magazine’s ‘Raiders Of The Lost Park’, Al & Dougie George (and Luke George on the photies) embarked upon some of the least respected, but beautiful in their own Shane Meadows-esque way, council skateparks Sussex has to offer.

Accompanying this moving imagery banquet of stunts and crust peppered with more public consultation comes the wonderful ‘Sussex: A Parkspotters Guide – with Dougie George’’. This guidebook combines Luke George’s ace photos, Al Hodgson’s hilarious write ups, maps and geographical locations (in case you want to make the pilgrimage) and of course serious shralping from Dougie George. The booklet was launched alongside our 46th Issue to metaphorically slap you from 2 angles. Cop (for free) from your preferred skater owned outlet!

Here’s what Al had to say about the project:

“Why does this flat bar have artisanal edges…?”

“Why am I rub-bricking it…?”

“Why am I here…?”

All valid inquiry amongst a quizzical genre of wheeled play areas commissioned by confused village-green preservation societies.

These enigmatic spaces exist in liminality: unused, unloved and under-appreciated – but mostly, misunderstood.

What if we look beyond the ostensible? What if we see ambiguity as asset, or lack of obstacle as liberation? What if we embrace the unique objet d’art that lie within – found neither in modern skatepark, nor urban sprawl.

What if?

In a modern world of skateboard Olympians and homogenous grey-concrete clones, these relics of mysterious origin are a dying breed – more at risk to redevelopment than your local street spot. And yet, to conquer them is of no lesser merit.

In their absurdity, we glimpse not failure, but the essence of creative potential.

So, I implore you: cherish your local crap park. One day, it will be gone…”

Featuring Dougie George, Al Hodgson, Harrison Woolgar & Loz George.