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From large-scale billboards to vinyl cut lettering to backlit banners, signs are part of today's urban landscape in London — and signs from days gone by tell a story of the city's rich history.
To prove that, a new exhibit at Museum London called London Recalling: Traces of Places from the City's Past highlights storied signs from family-run businesses, shops and galleries that have called the city home.
⁘Today we have things like vinyl cut, we have letterpress, we have all sorts of technology that makes the signs. We have LED signs,⁘ said Amber Lloydlangston, Museum London's curator of regional history and contemporary culture.
The exhibit features signs — big and small — from the museum's collection. Most of them are handpainted on wood, while other are made of tin, Lloydlangston said, looking worn and weathered from being outside.
⁘It really is quite incredible,⁘ she said. ⁘They're very dramatic, very colourful and really draw your eye up.⁘
Sign painting was once a line of work, and is growing in popularity again today, she said. ⁘People are recognizing the beauty of the hand lettered sign. And so you can come and be inspired by some that we have here.⁘
One bold red and yellow painted sign featured is from the 20/20 Gallery, an artist-run centre that existed from 1966 to 1970 in London.
The gallery was established by the founding members of the London Regionalists, such as artists Greg Curnoe, Tony Urquhart and Jack Chambers.
⁘The young folks who were establishing it were trying to find their way and they weren't necessarily getting the attention and some of the major galleries that they had hoped for. So, they weren't getting the shows, they weren't getting the recognition. So they said, 'Fine, we'll establish our own.'⁘
