Lakwena Maciver, Artist, says, “The name Happy Mount was what drew me to this project. When I heard it, it made me think of heaven, and I wonder if that’s what the people who named it were thinking of too. Either way I’m so grateful for the many beautiful parks including this one that ar e part of our shared heritage, and I’m very grateful to have been invited to create an artwork for this one. I hope it brings people together, I hope people have fun playing here, and I hope it adds to this little glimpse of heaven here on Happy Mount.

Elena Jackson of Deco Publique says, “We’re delighted to present Lakwena’s work in Morecambe, where the scale and atmosphere of the Bay continues to inspire artists. Through the Coastal Commissioning Programme, we’ve invited artists to spend time with the Bay, to respond to its social, environ mental and cultural landscape, and to create work that is both locally rooted and internationally resonant. Lakwena’s HA HA HAPPY is a joyful, generous expression of that dialogue, attuned to the social life of public space. This project has been shaped by strong collaboration with theCOLAB, Lancaster City Council and partners, creating a new landmark that brings people together through play, colour and shared experience. First presented in London, the work now has a pe rmanent home in Morecambe, reflecting a shared commitment to environmentally responsible commissioning. It follows works presented in the Bay over the last 12 months by artists Daisy Collingridge, Elizabeth Clough and Jen Southern. We thank our funders, th e UK Shared Prosperity Fund, for making Lakwena’s work possible .”

Claire Mander of theCOLAB says, “HA HA HAPPY is a joyful collaboration of epic proportions, which characterises the collaboration between theCOLAB and Deco Publique to realise Coastal Commissions for Morecambe Bay. Lakwena has, once again, reinvigorated an expanse of public space which focuses on the importance of laughing, loudly, in the open air, together. The creation of this new permanent landmark for Morecambe attests to the gener osity of our partners across the country enabling the transposition of materials from her commission at the Artist’s Garden, London in 2021 to Happy Mount Park in Morecambe in 2026.”

Councillor Martin Bottoms, Cabinet Member for Morecambe Regeneration and Local Economy, says, “Happy Mount Park is a much- loved community space where people come together to relax, play and spend time with family and friends. This new addition builds on that heritage, offering something that will spark curiosity and conversation for everyone who visits.”

Basketball England says, “We're excited about the launch of the 'HA HA HAPPY' art court in Morecambe - the first of 2026 and just in time for the outdoor basketball season. The unique project saw a wealth of partners come together to realise Lakwena Maciver's vision, transforming a tired public basketball court into a piece of art set in an iconic community park. Basketball England has supported the project with technical guidance throughout and funding the upgrades to the basketball equipment, because we know that renovated courts become safe spaces for people of all ages to enjoy basketball, bond and be fit and a ctive. Through our court regeneration campaign - #ProjectSwish - we continue to work with councils, clubs, artists, funders, individuals and commercial organisations to invest and upgrade in outdoor basketball courts across England .”

About Deco Publique

Deco Publique is an art, culture and commissioning company based in the North of England. Since 2013, we have commissioned and produced ambitious, artist-led programmes, festivals and projects that transform and shape public space and contribute to the evolving identity of place. Working at the intersection of contemporary art, landscape and civic life, we create the conditions for artists to test ideas, develop new work and respond to the social, industrial and environmental factors that shape towns, coastlines and rural communities. Commissioning is central to our practice - working with artists to realise bold ideas at scale, from temporary moments of collective spectacle to permanent works - unfolding as complex and exploratory installations, sculpture, performances and participatory processes. Deco Publique is a registered CIC. www.decopublique.co.uk / @decopublique

About theCOLAB

theCOLAB is an independent women-led collaborative laboratory which brings together people, land and art by realising artists’ most far-flung and life-affirming work in response to places beyond the confines of the whitecube for the public. It runs the world’s first sculpture garden dedicated to the pioneering work of women artists, the Artist's Garden on the roof terrace above Temple tube station, which opened in 2021 with Lakwena’s ‘Back in the Air: a Meditation on Higher Ground’. theCOLAB has been working closely with Deco Publique to realise coastal commissions in Morecambe Bay since 2017. theCOLAB is a registered Charity no.1209046. www.thecolab.art / @thecolab.art

About the Morecambe Bay Coastal Commissioning Programme

HA HA HAPPY by Lakwena Maciver is part of the Morecambe Bay Coastal Commissioning Programme, founded by Deco Publique and theCOLAB. The programme explores the development of the local cultural ecology through a series of commissions, projects and collaborations situated in, and responding to Morecambe Bay’s cultural and environmental landscape.

About Lakwena Maciver

Lakwena Maciver was born in London (1986) to an English mother and Ugandan father and spent formative years of her childhood in East Africa. She studied graphic design at the London College of Communication graduating in 2009. Her work explores and gently subverts ideas relating to redemption, escapism, afrofuturism and paradise. She has been undertaking public art commissions internationally for over a decade. She lives and works in London and is represented by Vigo Gallery. www.lakwena.com