Street artist ‘Penfold' to transform Old Town’s blank Swindog into landmark artwork

The winning design, with a possible plinth and placement in the heart of Old Town.  

Old Town is set to welcome a bold new piece of public art this September, as internationally recognised street artist Penfold paints the final Swindog sculpture for permanent display in the town.

The Swindog — a blank fibreglass balloon dog purchased by the Old Town Business Association after Swindon’s 2023 Big Dog Art Trail, will be given a striking new design by Penfold, known for his colourful, abstract murals and public art commissions across the UK and abroad. 

The Old Town Swindog was funded by four local sponsors, Domino’s, Los Gatos, Charles Harding and Deacons, who purchased a blank sculpture after the painted pieces from the 2023 Big Dog Art Trail sold for significant sums in aid of Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. Since then, it has been held back for the right collaborative opportunity. Several artists submitted designs, and the sponsors selected Penfold’s to bring the sculpture to life.

The blank dog

Once completed by Penfold, the finished work will be displayed inside venues across Old Town before hopefully moving to a permanent outdoor site. The ambition is to create a plinth, similar to the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, that can showcase contemporary art pieces over time, beginning with the Swindog.

The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square has become one of London’s most prominent showcases for contemporary public art, hosting a rotating series of bold commissions that spark debate, attract visitors from around the world, and cement the city’s reputation as a hub for cultural innovation.

In addition, original miniature Swindog designs created by local artists will be auctioned shortly, once again, to raise money for Julia’s House.

Kris Talikowski, Chair of the Old Town Business Association, said:

“Old Town would really benefit from contemporary public art, as it plays a vital role in building cultural appreciation into a community. We’ve seen how sculpture trails, from Wallace & Gromit in Bristol to other public art projects across the UK, have become attractions in their own right. We hope a Penfold-designed Swindog will be equally well received here and grow into a landmark for Old Town. While we’ve not yet applied for planning, but we’re excited at the prospect of it going on public display in the near future.”

The previous Old Town Swindog, that was displayed as part of the art trail

Mark Pepperall, founder of OINK Gallery, added:

“This collaboration is about linking Old Town to the wider street art movement. Penfold’s work is instantly recognisable and sits at the forefront of contemporary mural art. To see his style translated onto a Swindog for Old Town is something really special.”

Penfold’s painting of the Swindog will form part of the live programme at OINK Gallery’s Inner City Dreamers exhibition, which opens on 6 September and features leading UK street artists Mul, Prefab77, KMG and Sweet Toof. The Swindog will be unveiled during the exhibition’s opening weekend, before taking up its permanent place in Old Town.

The public can meet Penfold and the other artists at the exhibition, details here https://www.oinkgallery.co.uk/blogs/exhibitions/inner-city-dreamers