Arts and Culture Murals in Swindon Past and Present

During the mid 1970's to the 1980's Swindon had many distinguished murals.

Many of the murals were created by the Swindon based artist Ken White who has since taken up mural commissions world wide. In design, most represented an aspect of the Swindon's history including it's people and industry.

Each mural celebrated wide creative community involvement - local people were involved in all aspects of the work with participation being encouraged at every stage for each mural creation. Painting each mural was completed largely on a voluntary basis, by different groups of people including young people, art college students, the unemployed and job creation scheme members. Each mural was under the direction of a professional artist, experienced volunteers or Swindon Council officers.

The murals that you can see here are just some of the many created during the 1970's & 1980's - have been lost forever due to new developments across Swindon, but fortunately you can view them here...

Arkell's Brewery

Where: County Road | Artist Sarah Faulkner
Completed: 1985 | Visible Yes

Commissioned by Arkell's Brewery to celebrate their existence in Swindon since 1834. A collage of the beer making process including people who actually worked at the brewery. It overlooks a large roundabout and the main London to Bristol railway line.

Golden Lion Bridge

Where: Whale Roundabout| Artist Ken White
Completed: 1976 | Restored 1985 | Visible Yes

Thamesdown Community Arts Job Creation Scheme commissioned the mural to depict the bridge and a canal scene as it would have looked during the Victorian period.

George and the Dragon

Where: Manton Street| Artist Various contributors
Completed: 1975 | Restored 1985 | Visible No

King Class locomotive passing

through Swindon Railway Works

Where: East Street| Artists Terry Court & Ken White
Completed: 1976 | Restored 1985 | Visible No

Canal Mural

Where: Cambria Bridge Road - on both sides of bridge | Artist Ken White
Completed: 1982 | Visible No

Swindon Personalities

Where: Prospect Place| Artist Ken White
Completed: 1979 | Visible No

Volunteers Mural

Where: Rodbourne Bridges| Artist Ken White
Completed: 1982 | Visible No

Photography by Tony Leggett