by Editor Jane Lyons
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 30st of January 2026

“I don't look for signs. But when things happen, I say, 'OK, something must be right.' Or 'OK, something must be wrong” 
~ Lil Wayne ~ 

“Match II” by Zoran Vasic

In both art and photography, signs can function as a form of direct communication or as a symbolic language.
Everyday signage, such as directional arrows, billboards, warnings and street markings, alongside more abstract symbols like hearts, stars and animals, conveys ideas about culture, identity, authority and emotion. Although they are designed to instruct or regulate, signs often reveal much more than their original intent when they are removed from their context and viewed through a photographic lens.

The transformation of these mundane, internationally recognised symbols into punctuation for pop, graphic or conceptual art is an endlessly compelling process for photographers. Text and imagery intended purely for functionality can become expressive, ironic or poetic when reframed. Signage invites humour, contradiction, and subversion — particularly when time, weather, or human intervention has altered its original clarity.

“Urban Shadows” Inge Schuster

“No Parking” by Fion Wong

“Way In” by Samir Pajic

“Stop for Blue” by Jure Kravanja 

"The mountain valley Mai 3” by Eva Martensson 

“The Law Breakers” by Kieran O Mahony 

“Urban Shot” by Alfonso Novillo 

“confessions of ambiguous days” by Jangwook Lee 

“Street - Los Angeles California” by Arnon Orbach 

“The building crew” by Christine von Diepenbroek 

untitled by Nurten Öztürk 

“Look left twice” by Marc Apers

Photographers often use signs as graphic art objects, attracted by their geometric shapes, striking typography and instantly recognisable symbols.
When set against expansive spaces or blank architectural surfaces, signs become distilled compositions of colour, shape and line. This minimalism enables the sign to serve as both subject and abstraction, transforming instruction into visual elegance.

“le vent te portera” by Ambra 

“Uneven” by Andrea Comari 

“Follow the Shadow” by Alfonso Novillo 

“Chapel” by Monika Vanhercke

“No parking for divers” by Luc Vangindertael (laGrange) 

“Secured Territory” by Evgenii Novichikhin

When treated as art objects in photography, signs can function as iconic representations of memory, information and culture.
Photographers use signs to explore themes and stories ranging from nostalgia to social commentary and humour. When a photographer is lucky enough to capture a bird or small animal on a photogenic sign, it's 'lights out'!

The Guggenheim Bilbao's exhibition, 'Signs and Objects: Pop Art from the Guggenheim Collection, presented works infused with humour, irony and cultural critique — qualities strongly echoed in the 1x.com archives. Many of the photographs here could comfortably inhabit such an exhibition space. We are fortunate to have them. 

“turn right to paradise” by Linda Wride

“Photographies” by Massimo Della Latta

“Life is Fun” by Javier de la Torre

“Hard Ways” by Laura Mexia

“do we need a revolution” by Ambra

“Parking lot” by Roxana Labagnara

“Station on Route 66” by Larry J. Douglas

"No Barking" by Jane Lyons