A larger-than-life portrait of Nelson Mandela has appeared overnight on the wall of a Court Street club.

The mural, measuring about 10ft by 8ft, was painted by a group of artists from the Chewstick Foundation, who worked through the night to pay their own unique tribute to the late South Africa president, who died last Thursday at the age of 95.

The foundation regularly decorates the outside walls of its club with community art as part of its goal to unite different strands of society through the creative arts.

Chewstick co-founder Gavin ‘Djata’ Smith said that Mr Mandela represented the ideal subject for a new mural.

“Mr Mandela was a great inspiration to me, to Bermuda, and to everyone in the world through his belief in truth and reconciliation, and through the example that he lived by,” he said.

“Our mission is to be a haven for social justice and human rights. We want to break down barriers using the arts and creativity, and because of Mr Mandela’s leadership and example, we wanted to pay homage to him.”

Work on the black-and-white painting could not begin until after sunset last night. An image of the iconic statesman was then projected onto the blank wall, providing around half-a-dozen artists with an outline which they could trace.

The foundation is inviting members of the public to contribute to the project by adding their own tributes and messages to the painting.