New murals celebrating Cardiff’s musical and architectural heritage have been unveiled in underpasses in the city centre.

One designed by Unify Creative, the artists behind the ‘Butetown Mona Lisa,’ is in the underpass beneath Boulevard de Nantes, connecting Kingsway with the Civic Centre.

The other by Wall-Op Murals, inspired by the city’s history and the works of William Burges at nearby Cardiff Castle, is in the former Glamorganshire Canal Tunnel underneath Kingsway.

Yusuf Ismail of Unify Creative said the artwork is inspired by the city’s musical heritage and how “integral it is to the identity of the city”.

He said it started changing the feeling in the underpass even before it was finished: “Since the art started to go up, the public passing by have been positively engaging with the mural and it has immediately transformed the underpass into a safer more vibrant space.”

Robin Bonar-Law of Wall-Op Murals said: “The mural embraces Cardiff’s storied past and promising future. The idea is that it echoes the city’s architectural heritage, taking its inspiration from the Castle’s Burges-inspired interiors but bringing a fresh and modern touch to the tunnel.

“The transformation aims to deter antisocial behaviour, replacing it with a sense of community and positivity, and hopefully the mural will stand as a tribute to Cardiff’s enduring spirit, honouring its history while infusing it with contemporary energy and life.”

The murals were commissioned by Cardiff Community Safety Partnership, made up of Cardiff Council, South Wales Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and other key statutory and third sector partners.

Cardiff Council has also installed better lighting and more CCTV cameras in the area as part of the initiative, which is funded by a UK Home Office ‘Safer Streets’ grant and is primarily aimed at keeping women safe in the city centre.

If you’re involved in arts or entertainment, check out the services of Weltch Media here.