September 2022
The Mechanics’ Murals – Well listeners – here I am again with yet more mural marvellousness. Hot on the heels – or pedals –of the Pinehurst Peloton we have a set of murals all round the Mechanics’ Institution. To tell you more about them let’s turn to the Swindon Advertiser: The stunning new murals you can find at Railway Village:
These works are a collaboration between Swindon artists and schools from across Swindon. They’ve produced a series of works based on a variety of themes. Those themes are: the past, drama and art, life in the railway village, work and the area’s early days and the future.
The artists involved went into schools around the borough and spoke to children and encouraged them to produce art. The artists then scaled up the children’s art work and painted it onto the hoardings.
There’s also some great information boards about the railway village etc. Well – they would be great were it not for a terrible font choice on the headings. They’re bad. Sorry!
Artists involved
Among the artists taking part are: Hannah Dosanjh, Tim Carroll, Caryn Koh, Sally Taylor, Paul Exton, Sean Burke and Sue Bardwell.
Do read the Adver article on the link above to find out what the artists say about their sections.
Below – some of them.
But that’s not all
Also participating in this gorgeous creativity at the HAZ project is marvellous Marilyn Trew. Karen Phimister, the HAZ project manager approached Marilyn to make a map for visitors to the railway village area. But an oversized map to go on the hoardings.
On her map Marilyn has noted all the fantastic buildings, pubs included! Used to working on a much smaller scale, Marilyn had some deliberations with her printers to find the best way to accomplish the 16 ft map.
Says Marilyn: ‘It’s been a real pleasure to make this map as it’s a bit different from my usual studies. I found all the buildings fascinating, I loved the patterns of the bricks and stones. I had to lots of research of course and had some help from Royston Cartwright.
When they installed the map I was proud I had to hug it! Thanks for the opportunity SBC – this is a joyous thing for Swindon.
Funding for these art works came from Historic England. SBC led and organised the scheme.
The cabinet member for culture, heritage, leisure and the town centre Matty Courtliff said he was thrilled by the works.
Some of the information boards – see what I mean about the font?
