Larry Achiampong Gaming Room

To one and all, greetings!

The games in this room were chosen to take you on a journey, to travel and to wayfind, across multiple landscapes and virtual dimensions. In one way or another, through visual, audible, play-based tendencies and more, games are significant in the stories I tell as an artist, and I wanted to find a way to share that with you in this space.

I have an intimate relationship with gaming that spans decades. One of my earliest memories that got me hooked into the culture was looking at the console itself. In the late 80s, my brother had a Sega Master System – the thing looked like an alien spaceship! I was so transfixed by the music and strong colours in games such as Shinobi, Hang-On, Alex Kidd and more...

I can still remember the first time I heard the catchy soundtrack to Super Mario Brothers 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. I sat cross-legged on my cousin's bedroom floor in a daze of delight as we travelled across audible resonances from Reggae to Waltz-based classical themes.

Gaming was very much a part of my childhood growing up and continues to play a significant role in my life now. For example, gaming as a parent has opened up a whole new chapter in ways that I am teaching my children, whilst they also open my horizons towards new things. At the heart of it, I really enjoy being absorbed within a world cut out from reality, that hyperdrives you into a new one entirely.

It inspires me to think about the small things: the Easter eggs in my work that reference a moment. I would say it’s similar to the way people might reference something culturally significant, like a book or a piece of music. I also think about how one exists within the virtual space, and the philosophical questions gaming, and play each throw up.

There are connections between the games in this room and the rest of the show. Those who are open to playing and exploring might see between the lines but ultimately, this is a communal space. A place to chill out, where hopefully you might make some friends or have a game with someone. It's a gesture to connect with others.

Enjoy!