Famous landmark to be revived by Swindon artist

The Golden Lion Bridge mural, the famous but deteriorating Swindon landmark, is to be given a makeover in the Spring, thanks to a new project: Swindon Does Art.

Famed Swindon artist and muralist Ken White, who painted the mural on the side of a house by the Whale Bridge roundabout, on a job creation programme in 1976 has been commissioned to refurbish it.

Who would you like to see on a mural for the 21st Century? Let us know at the bottom of page

Ken's depiction of the bridge which crossed the canal in the town centre, where the Jubilee Clock now stands, was one of the first in a series of murals which made Swindon well known around the country in the 1970s and 80s.

The Golden Lion, photographed by Tony Leggett, after Ken repainted it in 1983

Helen Miah, Swindon Council’s head of culture, who asked Ken to revisit his work said the Golden Lion was very symbolic for Swindon. “I’ve wanted to see it come to life again for a long time; it’s brilliant Ken is willing to work on it again. As a former railway apprentice and a well known local artist, his evocative imagery tells a story about the town’s history which is important to the regeneration of the town centre.”

Swindon Does Art aims to increase participation and involvement in arts activity by everyone across the town. Find out more at www.swindondoesarts.co.uk


The Golden Lion Bridge was Ken’s first mural. After he was pictured in front of it for a huge Bayer advertising campaign in 1977, below, he was taken on by Richard Branson to paint murals in his home and in Virgin Megastores around the world, a relationship that has lasted over 30 years.

He repainted the Golden Lion Bridge in 1983 and has created over 100 major murals worldwide. Ken, now 65, continues to paint at his studio in Old Town and held a large exhibition at the Arts Centre in March.
www.kenwhitemurals.co.uk

Ken White created a fascinating mural in 1978 on the side of a house in Old Town depicting famous Swindon people of the past and personalities of the day. IK Brunel in his top hat took pride of place in a 'window' close to the roof, with famous civic leaders and historic figures like Town Clerk David Murray John, the 'father' of modern Swindon, William Morris, founder of the Swindon Advertiser newspaper and his naturalist author son Desmond Morris, alongside Ken's friend artist Carleton Attwood, poet Alfred Williams and the man who established Swindon's libraries Harold Joliffe.

Engineers from the Great Western Railways like Goodge and Churward are there, and along the bottom of the mural is buxom blond bombshell Diana Dors, Swindon Town football stars Harold Fleming and Don Rogers, who forty years ago scored the winning goal against Arsenal to win the League Cup.

Musicians who hailed from Swindon are depicted: Gilbert O'Sullivan, Justin Heywood of the Moody Blues and Rick Davies of Supertramp. And there's even a place for Bruce the Dog, the famous 19th fundraiser who carried a money box on his back into which people would drop coins for charity.

The mural was lost in the late 1980s when it fell into disrepair and the wall was pebbledashed over.

Now, just think if the money was available and a site were found, who would you like to see Ken include in a modern day mural? Who are the people worthy of recognition in this striking artform - and why?

Could it be Melinda Messenger, Billy Piper, Andrew Fitton...let us know what you think by mailing: publisher@swindonlink.com and your suggestions will be posted here.