Signs of our Time
Image courtesy of Joe Laverty
This has been a lovely project to work on:
PLACE‘s newest project explores the history of traditional signwriting, its historic applications, its recent resurgence and the techniques involved. Young people from the digital generation (aged 18-25) will engage in a series of tours of ‘ghost signs’ around Belfast, meet former practitioners of the art-form, visit collections, undertake workshops and produce examples of hand-painted signage for exhibitions in PLACE and beyond.
The exhibition (6 December 2018 – 22 March 2019) traces the history of signwriting in Belfast over its venerable history; viewing the medium through a lens of class, community and commerce. Project participants have contributed a range of material gathered and produced over the 12-week programme, including sketches, photographs and examples of handpainted signage. Time-lapse film and audio recordings featuring master signpainters will also chart the development, decline and subsequent resurgence of the medium in recent years.
We recently a website which will act as an archive for ‘ghost signs’ around Belfast, and have also set up Instagram and Twitter accounts for the project. If you spot hand-painted signage, please send them to us (with your details so that we can credit you!) through these platforms and we will share them.
