The Stanton Park Triton sculpture has been repaired following a 'disturbing' act of vandalism that left it beheaded and trident-less. 

In the immediate aftermath of the criminal damage, which happened in February,  Swindon Borough Council said they were having a discussion with the artist Darren Tilley to decide whether it was worth continuing to keep his work public.

But visitors going to the park in recent days have been delighted to see Mr Tilley's creation repaired in all its glory - standing proudly among his other creations. 

Swindon Advertiser:

At the time, the artist himself labeled the damage to what he considered to be "the pinnacle of his abilities" as an act from a "deranged individual".

"I knew I was working in an area renowned for vandalism. But for me it was all about being able to carve, and prove to myself I could do it. I spent literally hundreds of hours working in rain wind and shine, at my own expense.

"I take great delight in the fact that others enjoy seeing the work, and that it may in some ways enhance a visitor’s experience of the park. So the sadness and bewilderment I feel when the work is vandalised is not personal, it’s the same as I would feel about any piece of public art being damaged. It’s a shame that anyone who might have enjoyed the sculptures, will no longer be able to."

Darren started publicly displaying his work at Stanton Park in 2017 after discovering chainsaw sculpting when he created a much-loved underwater scene. He has since created many more wooden pieces for people to enjoy. 

Swindon Advertiser:

"It’s a shame that the vandals, who I know are in the absolute minority, have so much power to do harm, and detract from the enjoyment of so many," Darren added. 

"Triton, the 8ft high ocean God that I carved, was the current pinnacle of my abilities and I was very proud of it, I think it took nearly a hundred hours to complete.

"It’s very disturbing that some deranged individual felt the need to subject him to a clearly premeditated act of vandalism.

"But rather than giving this sad little person the attention they so desperately crave, I feel we should focus on the enjoyment that public sculpture creates for so many people and try and get more works of art on display in and around Swindon."