New Studio and Workshop Space Opened by Local Signpainters
Three local signpainters have found a new home in the area, opening up Bungo Sign Co. a basement studio next to The Deep End.
By Jack Howse
Last Saturday, three Southside-based signpainters opened a new space in what promises to be an exciting addition to the area’s burgeoning craft scene. Nestled just behind The Deep End in the basement of an unassuming tenement, Bungo Sign Co. will host workshops and serve as a studio for new signs to be hand-painted before being hoisted above local establishments around Govanhill.
The three artists who share the space are Rachel E. Millar, Hana Lindsay (AKA Sure Signs) and Duncan Peace (AKA Peace Signs). While you may not recognise their names you will definitely recognise their work. Their signs are peppered down all of Southside’s high streets such as South Seeds on Victoria Road, A Alexander Electricians in Mount Florida, Piatto in Shawlands and Battlefield Restoration, to name but a few.
All three have all been on the scene for about 4-5 years and have seen the demand for hand painted signs rise and rise. Rachel explained: “We were all outgrowing our own studio spaces and when I floated the idea of a shared space we all agreed that it would work well and were excited about potentially creating a signwriting ‘hub’”.
Rachel saw the advert for the space and signed the contract within a few days. She said: “It’s perfect as it’s a thriving area with plenty of independent shops and artists, and is so close to where we all live!”. The space give the artists more space to do their painting and gilding as well as lots of storage for the plethora of equipment needed for signwriting.
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The three signwriters (from left to right) Rachel, Hana and Duncan
It took Rachel, Hana and Duncan about six weeks to get the space ready after being handed the keys. After countless hours spent moving stuff in, getting everything in working order and (you guessed it) painting the space, Bungo Sign Co. finally opened its door on 8 October. Handily, for the guests, Rachel had just finished doing some sign work for Innis & Gunn, the Scottish beer brand, and so the fridge was stocked high with free tinnies as well as soft drinks and snacks. Guests got the chance to see some of the new signs the team are working on and some behind-the-scenes secrets of the trade such as a very fancy hole-punching printer for making stencils.
With the opening party now over, the artists are now organising their future plans for the space: “We can now collaborate on bigger projects with more hands, have set dates to host some beginners signwriting workshops in the space and would like to put on small exhibitions and pop ups in the future. We’re also working on launching a dedicated ‘Sign Hotline’ so keep an eye out for that!”
If you want to find out more about the space, you can follow Bungo Sign Co. on Instagram, keep an eye out for workshops they will be announcing over the coming days and weeks.