Basketball is simultaneously an omnipresent visual primer from the Philippines colonial past as well as a cultural marker of the nation’s forged contemporary identify.
Whilst the construction of the basketball court remains a captivating subject, the court (irrespective of its infrastructure) is also a hallmark of resistance by everyday Filipinos in the battle for public space.
The Philippines is being urbanised at an alarming rate with a handful of wealthy families and oligarchs staking claim on public space. Gated communities, mega shopping malls and even park spaces are largely privately owned with restricted access and monitored behavior.
The local basketball court stands as a staunch counterpoint to the privatisation of the land and remains firmly in the hands of the everyday Filipino, even if it’s very existence can be fleeting and constantly under threat.
This series culminated in a book and exhibition in 2017. The first print run is now sold out.