A lasting tribute to a rough sleeper features in a series of paintings aimed at transforming St Stephen's Underpass into an underground gallery.

Eastern Daily Press: New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City. Joint organiser Ruth Knapp with her work.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City. Joint organiser Ruth Knapp with her work.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

Street artists, illustrators and painters, from ages 16 to 60, have teamed up with the duo behind the blog Life in a Fine City and Moosey Art to improve the subway.

Organisers Ruth Knapp, Amber Green and Frazer Bailey called on local artists to volunteer to paint one of the boards covering the walls.

Ms Knapp, 38, said the idea followed on from the success of a Wensum Lodge Paste Up in the underpass last year.

They wanted to create a longer-lasting gallery, brightening up the daily walk of shoppers and commuters.

Eastern Daily Press: New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City. Ed Mrtn with his art work.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City. Ed Mrtn with his art work.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

'Norwich is a great artistic hub,' said the mum of two. 'People were keen to get involved and have their art on show. The response has been really positive. We were here the other day and people were stopping to say thank-you.'

While bright colours feature in many of the paintings, more poignant is the painting of Sergiusz Meges, a rough sleeper who died in the underpass on June 10.

The board was painted by Devin Smith, an artist who aims to encourage people to notice those not usually acknowledged by society.

Ms Knapp said: 'He died when we were planning the project and it's nice he has been remembered. It was a huge tragedy and I think the artist has done him justice.'

Eastern Daily Press: New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City. Aloys Feeney with his art work.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City. Aloys Feeney with his art work.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

Among the other artists featured is Aloys Feeney, 23, of Drayton Road, whose skull painting is inspired by science.

'I'm used to painting in public spaces, so I was really keen to get involved,' said the Norwich University of the Arts student.

Eli Davey, 20, from the Golden Triangle in Norwich, said: 'I always try to use bright colours to have something really positive that people can look at and be cheered up by.'

The project formed part of the Lord Mayor's Procession celebrations, and some of the final 48 boards were painted live in the city centre.

Eastern Daily Press: New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.New artwork in St Stephen's Underpass organised by Life in a Fine City.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

Are you organising an unusual project? Email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk