Pickleball's not the only paddle game: TOPSP!N celebrates the art of table tennis

Lately, it seems everyone's talking about pickleball, the fast-growing paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. But we still have a soft spot for table tennis, and so it appears do Glasgow creative studio Pim-Pam.

This April, they're launching TOPSP!N, the third edition of its exhibition series that transforms ping-pong paddles into coveted works of art to support community sport.

Hosted at Wasps Studios' South Block in Glasgow, TOPSP!N continues the tradition established by SP!N (2019) and BACKSP!N (2022), creating a unique intersection of creativity, sport and social impact.

Stellar lineup

This year's contributor list brings together comic book artist Frank Quitely, Scottish landscape painter Robert Kelsey, hip-hop artist Bemz, and signwriting specialists from Bungo Sign Co.

Person viewed from behind standing in front of a white wall displaying dozens of decorative table tennis paddles as part of the TOPSP!N exhibition

Hand holding a blue table tennis paddle with large circular eyes and rosy cheeks, featuring a small smiling face attached to the handle

Hand holding a blue oval table tennis paddle painted with a landscape scene of golden fields beneath a blue sky with an orange handle

Decorative table tennis paddle featuring a portrait face with rainbow eyeshadow and blonde hair, set against a white wall alongside colour swatch paddles

Other featured artists include illustrator Agata Pietrusz, visual artist Craig Black, West African visual artists Osa Seven and Adaora Lumina, and Glasgow-based duo Conzo:Globel.

The diversity of participants speaks to table tennis's universal appeal—a sport that, much like art itself, transcends age, background and geography. This universal quality is something that Drumchapel Table Tennis Club (DTTC), the beneficiary of the exhibition, has championed for over three decades.

DTTC is one of Britain's largest table tennis organisations, with over 300 members ranging from primary school children to octogenarians actively playing each week. The club forms an essential part of the Drumchapel Community Sports Hub, fostering talent development, physical activity, and social inclusion across Glasgow.

Colourful table tennis paddles with artistic designs mounted on a white wall, including blue, orange and green striped patterns

Collection of decorated table tennis paddles displayed on a white wall, featuring various artistic designs and colours including yellow, green, striped and gradient patterns

Collection of decorated table tennis paddles with various artistic designs displayed on a white wall

Collection of decorated table tennis paddles displayed on a white wall, featuring various artistic designs and colours created by different artists for the TOPSP!N exhibition

The previous BACKSP!N exhibition in 2022 featured over 60 artist-designed paddles, including works by Turner Prize winner Martin Boyce. Its predecessor, SP!N, in 2019, showcased 42 paddles designed around themes of balance, resilience and strength, qualities embodied by both the sport and the communities it serves.

Beyond the hype

For Pim-Pam, an award-winning studio whose client list includes Bentley Motors, Highland Park and UEFA, TOPSP!N represents more than just an exhibition—it's a statement about sport's enduring cultural value beyond passing trends.

"TOPSP!N is more than just an exhibition; it's a celebration of creativity, collaboration and community," explains Luke McCarthy, founder and creative director at Pim-Pam. "By merging art with sport, we're raising valuable funds for a club that has made a lasting impact on hundreds of lives across Glasgow and beyond."

Visitors to the exhibition can bid on their favourite paddle designs either in person or online until 18 April, after which any unsold pieces become available for direct purchase. All proceeds go directly to DTTC to support their grassroots development work.

Collection of artistic table tennis paddles mounted on a white wall, featuring various designs including painted faces, textured surfaces, a moss-covered paddle and colourful geometric patterns

Hands holding a wooden paddle with moss, dried flowers and colourful crocheted elements forming the head as part of an artistic table tennis paddle design

Collection of decorative table tennis paddles arranged on a white wall, featuring various artistic designs including illustrations, patterns and textures

The opening night featured opportunities to meet contributing artists and challenge some of Drumchapel's talented young players on a specially commissioned table created by Glasgow's Bungo Sign Co.

For those interested in bidding on the artistic paddles, the auction can be accessed at www.pim-pam.co.uk/topspin. The funds raised through TOPSP!N directly support programmes that develop young talent and create accessible sporting opportunities for people of all ages.

TOPSP!N runs until 27 April 2025 at South Block, 60 Osborne Street, Glasgow. Opening hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.