Ref. 28563-23A SIMPLE black coathook set against a white wooden background is one of two works currently displayed by a young Swindon artist at an Old Town pub.

It has been created by fashion graduate Jess Dyminska, 23, from Green Road in Stratton.

The other piece she has on display is a white butterfly, also against a white background, and these are so far the only pieces she produced.

She says the pieces are simply a way of inviting people to consider pleasing shapes.

Her work is among many pieces in a variety of styles on display in a constantly-changing exhibition sale hosted by the Victoria pub in Victoria Road.

Her pieces, each of which represents a day's work, are available to buy at £60 each.

Ms Dyminska currently works as a learning support assistant, but hopes eventually to break into the world of fashion.

She regards her art as an enjoyable sideline.

She said: "The two pieces were part of my degree show, along with my fashion designs. They are quite minimal and are not trying to be anything they are not.

"I would like to do a range of paintings that are similar. I'm fascinated by the idea of works which are minimal and have objects in them. I'm also planning to do boxes on the same principle."

All works of art at the Victoria, can be inspected at any time during opening hours.

Jess is not the only Swindonian to enter the art world with unusual and original projects.

The zoologist Desmond Morris, for example, is best known as a broadcaster and author of books such as The Naked Ape and Manwatching, but is also one of the world's most highly-regarded surrealist painters.

He has specialised for many years in creating bizarre scenes in which strange creatures go about rituals whose nature can only be guessed at.

Other Swindon artists include Ken White, whose murals and paintings have appeared throughout the world, and whose "scarlet lady" design is the emblem of all Virgin aircraft.

He learned his trade at Swindon Art School, where friends included Raymond (later known as Gilbert) O'Sullivan and Rick Davies, later of 1970s superstar band Super-tramp.

Barrie Hudson