When Public Art Transforms the Everyday

Sometimes the most powerful artworks are not in galleries but in the ordinary spaces we pass through every day. The Petts Wood underpass mural takes what was once a dark, damp tunnel and transforms it into a colourful gateway leading from town into woodland.

Spanning over 44.6 metres long and 4 metres high (one side of two), this large-scale project now greets locals with vibrant depictions of owls, herons, butterflies, and wildflowers—celebrating the natural and historical richness of the area.

Mural artist James painting the Petts Wood underpass mural featuring a heron outline
James – a muralist at work transforming long underpass walls into art.

The Artist Behind the Vision

James, a muralist known for his bold, nature-led designs, was commissioned through Book An Artist to reimagine the underpass. His approach was to create something bright, legible, and rooted in place.

“I wanted the mural to feel like a ‘welcome’ before anyone even reached the woods,” James explains. “Nature first, history in the details.”

The Brief: Connect Nature and History

The challenge was ambitious but open-ended: design a mural that would make the underpass safe, engaging, and reflective of Petts Wood’s identity.

The final artwork blends:

  • Local flora and fauna – owls, herons, wildflowers, and butterflies.

  • Historical touchpoints – oak once used to build Queen Elizabeth I’s Armada and the local link to William Willett, inventor of Daylight Savings.

  • Community pride – creating an uplifting visual corridor for dog walkers, commuters, and families.

    Bird Tree Feature
    A tree filled with local bird species connects the mural to its woodland surroundings.

Conquering a Tunnel: Techniques & Materials

Painting a 40-metre tunnel wall comes with unique challenges: damp conditions, long sightlines, and durability requirements.

  • Preparation: Underpass cleaning, repair work, and a full sky-blue background coat.

  • Mediums: Masonry paint for strong coverage and clean edges.

  • Protection: A final anti-graffiti coating ensures the mural can withstand tagging and weather.

  • Timeline: ~100 hours over 14 days of painting, plus separate prep days.

“Repeating habitats like trees, birds, and wetlands stitched the whole corridor together,” says James.

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More Than a Wall: Community Spirit

This was as much a community effort as an artwork. Locals provided toilet access, storage for materials, daily encouragement—and even gifts.

“The support was overwhelming. One neighbour brought me a bottle of wine on completion. It kept morale high all the way through,” James recalls.

The project also united institutions and grassroots funding, showing what’s possible when communities invest in their shared spaces.

Public Response

Swallows and Wildflowers
The vibrant flora and fauna motifs brighten what was once a dark and uninviting tunnel.

The mural immediately changed how people felt about the underpass. Where it was once avoided, it’s now a place people stop, take photos, and talk. For many, it’s not just decoration—it’s a marker of pride and safety.

Made Possible by Partnership

This commission came to life through Book An Artist—handling coordination, admin, and artist liaison so James could focus on painting.

“Leigh, the project manager, was UNBELIEVABLE, couldn’t ask for better” James notes. “And BAA made the process seamless.”

It all came together:

Welcome mural entrance with birds, trees, and flowers painted by mural artist James
A welcoming entrance the Petts Wood mural greets locals and visitors alike.

The Petts Wood underpass mural is more than paint on concrete—it’s a community-powered transformation. It honours history, celebrates nature, and makes a once-forbidding space feel open, safe, and welcoming.

As James says:

“This was a delight from start to finish. The trust, the support, the history—it all came together.”

Reframing an underpass as a gateway shifts behaviour: slower walks, photo stops, and a stronger mental link between high street and woodland. This is functional art—wayfinding, pride and safety cues bundled into colour. Planning an upgrade for a walkway, school or station? Book a Free Consultation to shape scope, permissions and maintenance from day one.