A STREET artist hopes his colourful mural will bring joy to people during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Luke Henley completed the 34ft by 24ft mural opposite The Perch on Lancing Beach in the days between Christmas and New Year.

The 29-year-old financial adviser from Worthing spotted the previously barren and grey wall while walking along the seafront with his wife and his one-year-old son.

Having rediscovered his love of art during the first lockdown in March last year, Luke decided to take on his largest project to date.

The Argus: Luke Henley painted the mural on Lancing Beach.Luke Henley painted the mural on Lancing Beach.

He said: “I was looking at this fairly mundane wall and I had recently been painting a few murals and doing a bit of art anyway, so I just thought ‘well if you don’t ask you don’t get’.

“So I went into Setyres garage, whose wall it is, and asked if they would mind if I painted their wall and luckily they said yes.”

The huge pop-art style mural shows a woman looking shocked while peering through a tear in the artwork.

Luke, whose artist name is Wooze, said he has been overwhelmed by the positive feedback he has received from passersby and the attention the mural has received since.

He said: “This was the first time I’d been there for any amount of time, so people had the chance to come up to me and I could speak to them.

The Argus: :uke said he hopes the mural raises spirits during lockdown.:uke said he hopes the mural raises spirits during lockdown.

“So many people came over and praised me for brightening it up and thanking me.

“Lots of people were taking selfies and asking me why I was doing it and what it was for.

“I’ve had lots of really nice messages from locals saying thank you.

“I had a lovely message from a mum saying that I had inspired her little boy to start doing some art so it’s really cool actually, very nice.”

With the current lockdown restrictions limiting recreational activities, Luke said he hopes his mural brings happiness to the community and gives people a reason to get some fresh air.

He said: “The sole reason I’m doing it is to get a bit of brightness out there and to give people something to

look at and something to walk by.

“I just wanted to spread a bit of colour and positivity and give people something that they could enjoy.”