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The Museum of Bad Art. 2009

Bookstore, Contemporary, USA

Book; ink and colors on paper
Via the Museum of Bad Art

Our sister institution, the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) has announced the publication of a catalogue of highlights from its collection. It is a remarkable work, and we have obtained an advance copy for display here in our galleries (the publication is also available for purchase in the MoFo Bookstore).

The mission of MOBA, located in Dedham and Somerville, Massachusetts, is “to celebrate the labor of artists whose work would be displayed and appreciated in no other forum.” The centerpiece of their collection, and the first work they acquired, is Lucy in the Field with Flowers (oil on canvas, artist unknown, date unknown), shown below.

While some visitors consider our museum to be similar to MOBA, we subscribe to a completely different philosophy. We do not believe it is our role to be to make judgments about the works we display. We seek to provide information so that viewers can make their own determinations, and we try to avoid labeling works “good” or “bad.” But, in fairness, the MOBA curators probably consider “bad” to be a descriptive rather than an evaluative term.

In any case, the book is a treasure trove of unique and remarkable works. Consider, for example, Ronan the Pug by Erin Rothgeb (American), oil on canvas, MOBA 333 (shown below), in which the subject may appear to lament its own shapelessness.

To learn more about the museum visit Wikipedia or their own website. The catalogue may be purchased through Amazon or your favorite online bookstore (our store manager prefers not to be troubled).