Signed 99… commission artist Steve Porter to recreate your signature, only 99 will ever be made (signed99.com)
Signed99 by Artist Steve Porter, November 29th 2021
What is Signed99?
Signed99 is an art venture whereby people can commission Steve Porter to paint a portrait of their signature. He actually paints their signature twice, (with one upside-down) to create an aesthetic balance.
The standard size is a bold 3’/4’, but clients can have any size they like. The “99” bit of Signed99 refers to the limited number of commissions available. Each portrait is numbered uniquely, 01-99, and is priced uniquely, too.
Did you just cough?
Until Covid arrived in March 2020 and closed all the schools, Steve had spent nearly 20 years travelling the UK, making murals and sculptures with primary-aged children. Steve felt very privileged to work with so many thousands of kids, with a legacy of artworks stretching back over two decades.
Alongside his work in schools, Steve has illustrated books, and sold his work via exhibitions and commissions. He even ran his own contemporary art gallery for a while.
Signed99 History…
During 2018 Steve trawled past sketchbooks for any historical art ideas that interested him. One of these ideas was to make a giant version of his own signature. Which he then did. Signatures are usually handwriting-sized. Steve found it fun to see his name produced on such a massive scale. Like having his name up in lights. Or up in whites, in this case!
The painting Steve made remained at the top of his stairs for nearly two years. Then one day during the autumn of 2020, it occurred to him that other people might enjoy the feeling of having their signature made in the same way… And so Signed99 began.
Even further back in time
The actual centre-of-the-earth core of the idea goes all the way back to the summer of 1991, when Steve and his cousin made a mischief-inspired road trip from Wiltshire to sunny Brighton.
On the giant peer we discovered the amusement arcade. In the corner of the arcade there was a machine which claimed to be able to “read” someone’s character by looking at their signature. Steve filled in the slip and fed it into the machine. The results were horribly accurate.
It made him think of the signature as a kind of portrait, where we are shown as a carousel of reveals and conceals, just like in everyday life.
How much? Who for?
Having thought that other people might want their signatures painted, the big question was: pricing. How could Steve make something that was theoretically available to everyone (since literally everyone has a name) while still being viable?
The answer came. Steve has priced each portrait differently! Starting at a simple £1 for Signed99/01 and gradually go up from there… All the way to 99. Which is available cool £1m.
In keeping with these wonderfully egalitarian principles, every single Signed99 signature portrait comes with a free bottle of Champagne. There is also free delivery, making the price the price with no extra “oh, and there’s just this…” to contend with at the checkout.
Signed99 might suit someone who is of a confident demeanor and is proud of their achievements. It might suit someone looking to leave a legacy – a prompt for the memories and stories that make up our lives.
Signed99 is about helping people to feel good about themselves. Which is a good thing to do.
And so to the glory of now!
Signed99 is open. Steve’s brushes are poised to recreate signatures on any scale. There have been six exciting commissions made, so far…
Perhaps you would enjoy one? Or know someone who might? Perhaps one could be given as an incredibly unique gift?
Steve is looking forward to making the remaining 93, bringing more people lasting joy and positivity through these uniquely personal bespoke artworks.
Contact information
Signed99 artworks are only available directly from the artist, Steve Porter at::
For questions and communications, info@steveporter.org
