A photographic celebration of hand-painted shop signs and street advertising across West Africa. Floor and van Zanten document the colorful painted signs found above shops, on vehicles, and walls—created by local craftsmen to attract customers for hairdressers, restaurants, garages, butchers, tailors, and other small businesses. This largely unheralded art form emerged in the 1940s and 50s, painted on plywood, metal, hardboard, and cement walls. The book features photographs taken on location in West Africa, supplemented by a few examples from Dutch and American collections, showing signs still actively used in commerce rather than produced for export markets. These works represent authentic expressions of local artistic sensibilities and visual culture. Essential for collectors of African popular art, graphic designers, photographers, and those interested in contemporary African visual culture, street art, and the intersection of commerce and creativity.
Hardback
208 pages
Please note: All titles are vintage or out-of-print editions. While condition may differ from images shown, each book is in good condition unless stated otherwise.
A photographic celebration of hand-painted shop signs and street advertising across West Africa. Floor and van Zanten document the colorful painted signs found above shops, on vehicles, and walls—created by local craftsmen to attract customers for hairdressers, restaurants, garages, butchers, tailors, and other small businesses. This largely unheralded art form emerged in the 1940s and 50s, painted on plywood, metal, hardboard, and cement walls. The book features photographs taken on location in West Africa, supplemented by a few examples from Dutch and American collections, showing signs still actively used in commerce rather than produced for export markets. These works represent authentic expressions of local artistic sensibilities and visual culture. Essential for collectors of African popular art, graphic designers, photographers, and those interested in contemporary African visual culture, street art, and the intersection of commerce and creativity.
Hardback
208 pages
Please note: All titles are vintage or out-of-print editions. While condition may differ from images shown, each book is in good condition unless stated otherwise.