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Last of seven murals painted in Norwich is unveiled on Arcade Street
Norwich BID's latest City of Stories mural by Joey La Meche, pictured. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
The last of seven large murals painted across Norwich's city centre has been unveiled on Arcade Street.
Norwich BID's latest City of Stories mural by Joey La Meche. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
Designed by Joey La Meche, the artwork depicts an Iceni tribal marketplace and covers the entire underside of an archway near Castle Meadow.
It is the final in a series of murals linked to the Norwich Business Improvement District's (BID) City of Stories project.
The scheme has already seen large colourful works painted on Pottergate and London Street.
Martin Blackwell, business and operations manager from Norwich BID, said the latest artwork took a month to complete.
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He said: 'This is a bit of a departure for us, as all the other pieces have been painted high up.
'This one comes right down to the ground level, so it is the first time people can stand and have their photo taken with it.
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'There is a small risk that people might deface it, but because it is such a fantastic piece of art, we hope they will respect it.'
BID has spent around £50,000 on the overall project, which is linked to its City of Stories campaign. The scheme aims to attract more visitors to the city.
While the latest mural, unveiled on Tuesday, is the last of the series, Mr Blackwell said there could be more in the future.
He previously hinted that London Street was a potential venue for future public art.
He said: 'We are very likely to be announcing a new round in the new year, and we are on the look out for blank walls that need brightening up.'
Mr Blackwell said public art can have a positive impact on local business by bringing in more tourists.
Norwich-based artist Mr La Meche, 29, who designed the latest piece, said the work is based on an Iceni marketplace, which was once located on the outskirts of the city.
The Iceni was a tribe in the eastern area of Britain during the Iron Age and early Roman era.
Susan Curran, vice chair of the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society, said: 'I think they [the murals] are great, they really liven up the city centre.'
In the past few weeks, there has been calls for more public art in the city.
Norwich Society member Alec Hartley wrote to the EDP and Evening News stating there was a lack of 'eye-catching' and 'funny' works in the city.
