Croydon Underpass Art. Photo: Dominika Stefanska

One week after the vandalization of the £10.000 street art project at Norwood Junction, two local artists reveal a new art project in what is locally know as the dingiest underpass in Croydon.

Under the guidance of the artistic duo Jeanne-Marie Eayrs and Susan Beresford, better known as Undercroydon, members of the community have for four weeks been creating a mural in the underpass that links the Nestle Building with Fairfield Halls.

“It is Undercroydon’s belief that murals bring people together: building communities, not walls,” explained the pair.

The project is called SUBart and is a collaboration between the two artists, Croydon Business Improvement District (BID), who also funded the project, and Family Learning Week. Locals and contributors attended the unveiling of the murals yesterday (Monday).

This project is being launched immediately after the vandalism of the The Long Way Home art project at Norwood Junction underpass last week. That project was funded by Transport for London to improve the experience of the travelers using the station.

Eayrs was not perturbed about damage  to  her project: “You can’t be afraid of people ruining your work” she said and explained that as a street artist you have to be prepared for vandalization to happen and not let it affect you. The duo has taken precautions and sprayed the artwork with an invisible cover-spray that prevents people from tagging it.

Local resident Louise Innis, 54, stopped by the SUBart project to take in the transformation. “It’s beautiful and so bright and lively,” she said. “It doesn’t seem so dirty and grimy anymore – it makes you feel much happier. I walk through here a lot, and I love it.”

Undercroydon have already put their colorful stamp on the borough with murals across town, including their eye-catching Stepping Out at the entrance of the Whitgift Centre.

The progress of the project can be followed on Undercroydon’s blog.