Ken White

Kenneth White (23 March 1943 – 24 December 2025) was an English muralist, painter and illustrator, known for his work with the band XTC and for the airline Virgin Atlantic, as well as murals in his home town of Swindon and elsewhere. After attending Swindon Art School, White created over a hundred murals for various clients in the United Kingdom.

Early life White was born on 23 March 1943 in Swindon, Wiltshire, growing up on Mulberry Grove in the town. His father, George Albert White, was a former PT instructor with the RAF, holding the rank of flight sergeant, and a worker, like his own father, at Swindon Railway Works. From 1962, he attended Swindon Art School, on a four-year pre-diploma course, against his parents' wishes. Early versions were painted by White, directly onto each aircraft, using a spraygun and airbrush.

In 1982 he painted a mural on the side of the Royal Opera House on a commission from Jacob Rothschild. White painted more than a hundred murals in all; at least ten of them in Swindon.

A number of his works are in the collection of Swindon Museum & Art Gallery, with posters and printed material in Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. His painting Lunch Time, depicting rivet hotters on a work break, is owned by Swindon's STEAM museum. A monograph on White's life and work, by Mark Child, is in the collection of Swindon Central Library. The bridge was previously decorated by one of White's own murals.

Personal life and death White was married to Jan. They had a home in Swindon's Old Town district.

His funeral was held at Christ Church in Swindon Old Town on 19 January 2026. Richard Branson sent a letter of condolence describing White as "one of the most extraordinary creative artists of our time".

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