Skip to content

Town scenes are recreated in miniature exhibition

BBC A mini balloon dog sculpture painted wearing a red football kitBBC
A tiny version of the Swindog statues features in the display

An exhibition of tiny local-themed scenes is being displayed in a town's bookshop windows – including a crocheted depiction of suffragettes and a mini art gallery.

Bert's Books in Swindon's Old Town is hosting the display, which also features a mini Isambard Kingdom Brunel and locally born actress Diana Dors.

The "Miniature Swindon" display is being put on for Swindon Arts Fringe, which runs until 29 June and involves 14 exhibitions at nine venues.

Leah Bevan Haines, who curated the bookshop's showcase, said: "You can't really appreciate it unless you come and see it."

"I've grouped them into people, places, objects and a mini art gallery," she added.

Three small knitted women - one chained to railings, another with a votes for woman placard.
The miniature scenes include the women's suffrage movement in Swindon

A "Swindog", referencing the statues created for an art trail in the town in 2023, is also featured.

Lisa Lowe, also part of the festival and a curator for the first time last year, said the exhibitions were all free and this year there were more than 200 artists featured.

"It's just trying to celebrate art and make it bigger and bigger every year," she said.

Crochet man in a Victorian outfit with top hat and a crocheted reel of chain behind.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, well known in Swindon, is included in crochet form
Tiny artwork on a tiny wall showing the local hospital beside a tiny embroidered banner saying 'made in swindon'.
A miniature art gallery is on display – this piece is a painting of a hospital
Two women stand behind shelves - on top is a row of clear shoeboxes with the displays in them. Bunting surrounds with a shelf underneath having knitted figures.
Bert's Books has handed over a couple of shelves to the exhibition
Two knitted figures - one as a fairy godmother, the other Adam Ant, a scene from a music video
Diana Dors and Adam Ant are also celebrated in the exhibition
A small doll on a ladder holding a paintbrush leaning against the representation of a tower roof.
One scene copies an old photograph of a man painting the town hall

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More stories like this
Related internet links