Seize the day

Very appealing arty sign in Liverpool's fantastic Rococo coffee house, tucked away in Lord Street. A quote from Horace, urging us to seize the day - or, in this case, rather fab food, cake and coffee.

Everything is connected

Illuminated sign by artist Peter Liversidge, near Manchester's Piccadilly station.

Philosophical wall

"All greatness is precarious" (Plato, I think). Sign on a wall in Glasgow. Apt for the building it's on, which is beautiful but in need of attention.

For all Liverpool's Liver Birds

Some exciting new artwork has appeared this month in Liverpool's trendy Baltic Triangle: a fantastic pair of Liver Bird wings has become the favourite place for a photo.

Accompanied by the sign "For all Liverpool's Liver Birds", the mural was painted by artist Paul Curtis. But the beauty might be short lived, as the wall is due to be pulled down at any time. 

Shortly after the wings were painted, they were joined by this Banksy-style comment on art and justice. Apparently some of Banksy's works were removed controversially by a developer nearby and are in a private collection, rather than being displayed in a city street art gallery as originally proposed. 

So you'd better hurry to get your wings now, while they last.

Gathering of strangers

Here's a fabulous sign by artist Nathan Coley, at Manchester's wonderful Whitworth Art Gallery. Part of Art in the Park, the coloured lights draw the eye upwards, a statement in the sky. Since its renovation, the gallery has been recognised as one of the country's leading visitor attractions, and it's one of my favourite places. The gorgeous building and garden are worth a visit even if you don't love art.

Love this

Love this. Love Liverpool.

Do not feed the Superlambanana

I love this sign on the Superlambanana in Madison Square, Liverpool. You can find Superlambananas all over the city.

Originally a tiny four-inch model made by artist Taro Chiezo in 1998, four local artists developed a full size replica, which in turn was copied in 2008 when 125 smaller replicas were made.






They pop up all over the city, in different colours and patterns. There are three in Madison Square. A comment on genetic engineering and on Liverpool's history as a port (sheep and bananas were common cargo), above all they are fun.

You can sit down next to me

A Poem for Manchester, by Mike Duff, appears on mirrored art signs studded like beautiful blue jewels into a wall in Piccadilly Place, not far from Piccadilly station.

The poem was chosen from 4,000 entries as winner of a BBC National Poetry Day competition. Its message of solidarity, equality and acceptance seems particularly fitting following the dreadful Manchester Arena attack this week.

Barking mad

Andy Leek sign in London's Russell Square. Made me smile.

Proper use of the paper

Surprise venue of last week was Irlam station, which turned out to be a delight. The station, built in 1893, was derelict for 25 years, and opened last year after a £2 million revamp. The restorers clearly had a love of signs and railway paraphernalia, creating a venue worth a visit in its own right. There's a great cafe where you get to sit in seats decked out like third class railway carriages, plus evidence of a sense of humour and a loving touch. Just watch your behaviour when you use the toilet.

Up the library path

I love this innovative path leading to Liverpool Library, doubling as an artistic sign to advertise the tempting books it has on offer.

Neat

Neat, no-nonsense sign and great use of space at the wonderful Whitechapel Gallery, London.

Soap Street sign

Fine ghost sign in Soap Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. If you're in the area, I recommend breakfast at Trof.

Written in stone

This stern sign at the Royal Academy is as beautiful as many of the works of art on display there.

Floral police

Good bit of street art/graffiti in Southampton. 

Love Liverpool

Great little sign / street art / graffiti (whatever your view, take your pick). Love Liverpool. 

Lost gardens of Manchester

We stumbled upon a floral oasis in central Manchester today. The art gallery and the National Trust have teamed up to tell the story of Manchester's lost public gardens, and to give us a new one (complete with bird soundscape and mock vintage signs). Wonderful!

When is a sign not a sign?

When it's a piece of public art.

In an unassuming alley in Stockport, you can get a glimpse of five great murals on the side of the BHS shop. When the store was built, it was agreed that the wall in Deanery Way wouldn’t be left blank, but instead would show something of local interest, and these mosaic and concrete murals were commissioned.

They were designed in 1978 by Henry Collins (1910-1994) and Joyce Pallot (1912-2004). There are five murals, four showing the history of Stockport, and the one shown above, advertising British Home Stores.

It’s easy to rush past with your head down and miss them, but I love their bright colours and careful detail. Seek them out if you’re in Stockport.

Who are you?

Mosaic sign on the doorstep of the National Portrait Gallery in London. I got there early enough to take this photo, before the swarming crowds made it impossible. Catch the wonderful Grayson Perry “Who are you?” exhibition if you can – it’s on until 15 March.