Gallery Saintonge is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibit Seven Buildings with works by Ben Ferencz. Accompanying the photographs is text by notable, Missoula historian Allan Mathews.
Seven Buildings is a pragmatic, documentary study of ghost signs on seven of Missoula’s historic buildings. Ghost signs refer to the old, often- faded, hand-painted signs seen on the sides of buildings. Before the popularity of modern billboards and storefront signs, sign painters used to paint advertisements and company names directly on the bricks and building surfaces. Known as Wall Dogs, many sign painters were undeniably skilled artists, working quickly, mixing paints and scaling their drawings to wall size.
Ghost signs, a dying art form - due in large to the proliferation of computer technology - are visual clues to the historic use of the buildings. A graphic designer/artist by trade, Ferencz has teamed up with Mathews to document the history and marketing form as recognized in today’s context. The exhibit will include seven black and white photographs, each accompanied by typeset print.
Ben Ferencz lives outside of Missoula in St. Ignatius, Montana. He is founder and creative director of The Design Cooperative, through which he has worked for local clients such as 515, Missoula Art Museum, Adventure Cycling, as well as MoMA, Yves Saint Laurent, Phaidon, Gucci, MTV, Reebok and Pepsi. His work merges and interplays with realms of commercialism, graphic design, advertising and visual art.
Allan Mathews, author of the award-winning, A Guide to Historic Missoula, was Missoula’s historic preservation officer for 11 years. He has been honored as Preservationist of the Decade; and currently owns Blue Rock Histories, a historical consulting business, and Missoula Historic Tours.
Age Group: All Ages Venue: Gallery Saintonge Address: 216 North Higgins Ave
Missoula 59802 Phone: 406 543 0171
