When it comes to signs, they don’t make them like this any more. Vintage hand-painted signs are an endangered species in many cities — businesses come and go and premises change use, and the incessant assault by the weather means the old wood or iron aren’t as durable as the modern versions made from rust-proof steel and tough plastic. But a good old-fashioned sign can’t be beaten for visual appeal, so it’s good to hear about a studio that’s keeping the traditional sign-writing skills alive, and helping maintain their presence on the streets of Portugal and beyond.
Lisbon’s Halfstudio Signs has been in business since 2012, when Mariana Branco and Emanuel Barreira decided to apply their passion for lettering and traditional craftsmanship to the country’s huge number of peeling and weather-beaten vintage signs. Despite the signs’ popularity in Portugal, Halfstudio claims to be the country’s only hand-painted sign studio operating at the moment. As well as commercial properties, they also work on wall murals, glass windows, all manner of vehicles and provide lettering expertise to graphic design projects too. Examples of Halfstudio’s work can currently be found at Cosmo Galeria in Barcelona. The Got It Wrong exhibition plays with the very principles of sign painting: clear information delivered with lettering that fits the message. The gallery-like café has plenty of space for Halfstudio to have fun; examples include huge chunky capitals bellowing the word “small”, a linear and matte monochrome sign announcing a shining rainbow, and a piece which wrong-foots the viewer with a mixed message on the correct direction to travel. Got It Wrong will remain in situ until 26 July.
