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Gregory Siff: Project 2020, Project 70, and other work

Gregory Siff is a name that resonates across multiple creative industries, from fine art to fashion to baseball cards. His signature style, which fuses elements of street art with expressive storytelling, has earned him recognition worldwide. In recent years, Siff has made a significant impact on the sports card world, bringing his unique artistic perspective to Topps through collaborations like Project 2020, Project 70, and Topps X. His work has captivated both art collectors and baseball card enthusiasts alike, seamlessly blending nostalgia with modern artistic expression.

Gregory Siff’s baseball card designs are instantly recognizable, often featuring a mix of bold colors, graffiti-style markings, and handwritten text. Through his collaborations with Topps, he has reimagined some of the most iconic cards in the hobby, transforming them into collectible pieces of art. By merging his artistic vision with the legacy of baseball, Siff has carved out a distinctive place in the trading card industry. His ability to reinterpret classic imagery while staying true to the essence of baseball has made him one of the standout artists in Topps’ artist-driven projects.

Whether through Project 2020, Project 70, or his work in Topps X, Gregory Siff has brought an entirely new dimension to baseball cards. His vibrant, raw, and emotionally charged interpretations of classic players and moments have not only redefined what a baseball card can be but have also expanded the collector base by appealing to art lovers as well.

About Gregory Siff

Topps Project 70 Lee Mazzilli #683 by Gregory Siff

Gregory Siff was born in Brooklyn, New York, and developed an early passion for both art and storytelling. His artistic journey has taken him through multiple mediums, including painting, performance art, and commercial collaborations. Siff’s work is known for its dynamic compositions, incorporating elements of graffiti, abstract expressionism, and pop culture influences. Over the years, his art has been featured in galleries, museums, and high-profile brand partnerships, cementing his reputation as an influential contemporary artist.

Beyond baseball cards, Siff’s work extends into fashion, music, and film, often intertwining themes of memory, emotion, and personal history. His collaborations with brands like Mercedes-Benz, Adidas, and Vans showcase his ability to merge fine art with commercial appeal. Despite his broad artistic portfolio, Siff’s involvement in the Topps projects has been one of his most notable contributions to pop culture.

Gregory Siff’s Artistic Style

2020 Topps X Gregory Siff Edition Randy Arozarena #NNO

Gregory Siff’s artistic style is a fusion of street art, abstract expressionism, and pop culture imagery, creating a visual language that is both raw and deeply personal. His work often includes hand-drawn elements, spontaneous brushstrokes, and layers of text that evoke a sense of movement and emotion. He frequently incorporates nostalgic themes, blending childhood memories, sports, and everyday life into his creations.

A hallmark of Siff’s style is his use of handwritten messages and symbolic imagery, which give his pieces a diary-like intimacy. His art often feels like a stream of consciousness, with each brushstroke and scribble contributing to a larger story. This approach translates seamlessly to his baseball card designs, where he reinterprets classic players and moments with a fresh, expressive energy. By merging high art with pop culture and sports, Siff has developed a distinctive aesthetic that continues to resonate with collectors and art lovers alike.

Project 2020: Re-imagining Classics

Topps Project 2020 Roberto Clemente #362 by Gregory Siff

Topps Project 2020 was a groundbreaking initiative that brought together 20 artists to reinterpret 20 iconic baseball cards, resulting in a 400-card set that blurred the lines between sports memorabilia and contemporary art. Gregory Siff was among the artists selected for the project, and his contributions stood out due to their expressive, almost spontaneous feel. His version of classic cards, such as the 1985 Dwight Gooden and the 1955 Sandy Koufax, featured his signature handwritten elements, raw brushstrokes, and abstract motifs that brought a fresh, energetic perspective to these legendary images.

Siff’s work in Project 2020 was met with enthusiasm from both collectors and art fans, who appreciated the personal and intimate nature of his designs. Each card felt like a piece of a larger narrative, combining baseball history with his own artistic sensibilities. By participating in Project 2020, Siff helped redefine what a baseball card could be, transforming them into small-scale canvases that held deeper meaning beyond the stats and photos.

Project 70: Expanding the Vision

Topps Project 70 Wrapper #932 by Gregory Siff

Following the success of Project 2020, Topps introduced Project 70, which gave artists even more creative freedom to design baseball cards in their own unique styles. This time, Siff had the opportunity to create a broader range of designs, covering multiple eras and players. His Project 70 cards maintained the energetic, street-art-infused approach he had perfected in Project 2020, but with an expanded sense of experimentation.

One of his standout pieces from Project 70 was his take on a Topps baseball card wrapper. Unlike the 900+ cards featuring major leaguers, this card boiled down the hobby to what we all remember as kids – heading to the baseball card store and ripping into a fresh pack of cards. It was a unique contribution to the Project 70 collection.

Gregory Siff Topps X & MLB All-Star Art Collection

2022 Topps MLB All-Star Art Collection Aaron Judge #NNO by Gregory Siff

Gregory Siff’s work with Topps extended beyond Project 2020 and Project 70 into the Topps X series, where artists and celebrities had the chance to curate their own themed card sets. Unlike the previous projects, which focused on reinterpretations, Topps X allowed Siff to create an entirely new collection around the 2020 World Series, ultimately resulting in a three card set featuring Mookie Betts, Randy Arozarena and the Los Angeles Dodgers logo. Cards were exclusively sold on Topps.com for a fixed price.

Siff was also one of two contributors to the 2022 Topps MLB All-Star Art Collection, alongside DJ Skee. Both artists produced two cards, limited to a 2,500 print run each, and only sold on Topps.com. Siff created Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso cards, for a New York theme, while DJ Skee had a Los Angeles theme with Betts and Mike Trout.

Conclusion

Gregory Siff’s work in the baseball card world has been nothing short of transformative. His involvement in Topps Project 2020, Project 70, and Topps X has elevated trading cards from collectibles to legitimate works of contemporary art. By merging his raw, expressive style with baseball’s enduring legacy, Siff has not only redefined what a card can be but has also introduced a new audience to the hobby. As he continues to explore new creative avenues, his impact on baseball cards remains an inspiring example of how art and sports can intertwine in powerful ways.