Big Dog Art Trail has a touch of Pandemonia

Pop art creation Pandemonia will be catching the eye as they join The Big Dog Art Trail to paint one of 30 balloon dog sculptures.

Created mid 2000s by an anonymous London artist, Pandemonia is a multi-media conceptual art project centred around a female motif constructed from symbols and archetypes.

They have had exhibitions at the Tate Modern in London, Selfridges, the La Art Show and other venues.

Pandemonia will join a range of artists, including some based in Swindon, designing the Swindogs -  giant one-of-a-kind creations which will form the UK’s first-ever balloon dog art trail this summer, in aid of the Julia's House hospice charity.

Pandemonia said: “I’m delighted to be painting a Swindog for Julia’s House. I like painting and I think it is going to be very exciting creating some public art on such an interesting sculpture. 

“I can’t reveal my design yet but it will be a very amusing, colourful, celebration of art.”

Pandemonia will be painting their Swindog at the home of Julia’s House Patron Annabel Karmel, a bestselling author on nutrition and cooking for babies, children and families.

Annabel is a long-term supporter of Julia’s House and is throwing her support behind the trail by also sponsoring a Swindog and has been pivotal in securing artists like Pandemonia.

“I feel so privileged to have Pandemonia painting a sculpture at my house,” said Annabel. “I’ve always loved contemporary art and I’ve got some of my favourite artists, like Pandemonia, to paint some of the amazing sculptures and I’m so excited to see them take shape.

“I think it is a wonderful way to raise money for a really worthwhile charity and have some fun at the same time. These fantastic sculptures will bring art all around Swindon and give the public such joy over the summer.”

Running from 15 July to 3 September 2023, the art trail will end with a grand farewell finale where all of the decorated Swindog sculptures will be brought together under one roof. 

The giant one-of-a-kind sculptures will then head off to their forever homes after being adopted at a special auction event to raise money for Julia’s House children’s hospice.

Chris Hyde, Big Dog Art Trail Project Manager, said: “We are over the moon to have such a prestigious artist such as Pandemonia painting one of the Swindogs.

“From the high-profile artists to those close to home, the trail will be a real celebration of public art which we hope will attract hundreds of thousands of people to Swindon.

“The trail ends with the sculptures being auctioned off, with all money raised going to Julia’s House, so to have artists like Pandemonia on board will only mean more funds to provide care for the local families who need it most.”

There is still a chance for people and businesses to sponsor a Swindog and be seen by thousands of visitors this summer. Full details can be found at www.bigdogarttrail.co.uk/sponsors