RE-FURBISHMENT AND RE PAINTING OF THE FAMOUS BLONDINIS
Work through August 2009.

Swindon Borough Council are hoping to re-site John Clinch’s famous Blondinis sculpture in St. Marks recreation ground at Gorse Hill as part of improvements to the park.

The famous Blondinis was the last item cast in the railway works before it closed and the artist, recently deceased, and is a respected sculptor who has other works at Cardiff Bay, Bristol Harbourside and Blackpool.

Originally commissioned in 1985 by Thamesdown DC, its restoration and re-instatement will be another chapter in the proud and continuing Swindon public art commissioning tradition.

Swindon Borough Council is looking for a sensitive and professional retouch and restoration of the paintwork by a local artist, who has experience in this medium. The Materials will need to be in keeping with the original and appropriate for the medium and the location i.e. outdoors! The work will require a coating of anti-graffiti paint to make it easier to maintain.

The artist can work on the piece at SBC’s depot in the special outside storage area, where scaffolding can be set up and power arranged for any tools.

SBC will cover the costs and arrange for the transportation and installation for the work.

There is an artist’s fee available of £2,000.00. This must cover all fees, expenses, insurances and materials.

Artists should hold Public Liability Insurance.

There is an extremely tight deadline.

The work must be completed and finished by Friday 21st August (and preferably before) in time for the official park opening on Wednesday 26th August.

How to apply

Artists should respond by the end of Thursday 30th July 2009 via email to:

Diana Hatton at
dianahatton@btinternet.com
Please feel free to call beforehand on 01453 887712

Please include a brief statement of how you would approach the work, including a timetable, include some examples or evidence of previous relevant work, and confirm that you can meet the deadlines and hold the appropriate insurances.

Artists will be selected by application and informed no later than Monday 3rd August to begin work straight away.