Molly Block

Artist's Statement — The Art of Roadside Relics

My focus in photographing vintage signs stems from my appreciation for each sign's uniqueness and the craftsmanship involved in making each item: each sign truly is a work of art. Through my photographs, I strive to reveal the uniqueness of each sign.

The fact that weathering changes the appearance of signs, combined with property owners and/or real-estate developers who may not see value in preserving old signs, compels me to continue documenting signage and other elements of roadside America that remain today. After all, the appearance of such artifacts may be different tomorrow, that is, if something is even still standing tomorrow. (Many signs I have photographed have since been altered or dismantled altogether.)

I enjoy learning about the business(es) each sign has promoted and sharing this information/stories in captions for some of the photos I post online. 

I capture my images digitally, and I lightly edit them, leaving in the occasional power line, guy wire, and/or parts of trees or buildings -- just as they exist when I saw them. 

My main series of photographs, "Roadside Relics," began in 2010 and continues today.