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Malcolm Morley Biography
Malcolm Morley, born on June 7, 1931, in London, United Kingdom, was a British-American visual artist renowned for his pioneering contributions across various art movements, including Photorealism, Neo-expressionism, and Superrealism. His expansive career, marked by audacity and innovation, spanned over six decades, during which Morley earned an international reputation as one of the most trailblazing artists of his time.
Morley's early life in North London was fraught with challenges. His childhood was disrupted by the turmoil of World War II, during which his family's home was partially destroyed by a German bomb. This event left a lasting impact on Morley, influencing his later works. Despite these early adversities, Morley found solace and expression in art, a passion that would define his life's work.
After serving a prison sentence for petty crimes, Morley's interest in art deepened. It was during his incarceration that he began painting, a practice he described as a form of rehabilitation. Upon his release, Morley pursued formal art education, studying at the Camberwell College of Arts and the Royal College of Art in London. His time in prison and subsequent education laid the foundation for his artistic journey.
In 1958, Morley relocated to New York City, a move that introduced him to the vibrant American art scene and marked the beginning of his significant contributions to contemporary art. In New York, Morley encountered the works of Abstract Expressionists, which influenced his early abstract paintings. However, it was his shift to Photorealism in the mid-1960s that established Morley as a leading figure in the art world. Alongside artists like Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, and Chuck Close, Morley was at the forefront of the Photorealism movement, which he preferred to call Superrealism. His meticulous paintings, often based on postcards and photographs, were characterized by their hyperrealistic detail and innovative use of grids.
Morley's artistic evolution continued in the late 1970s when he developed an improvisational style of figuration that would later be recognized as Neo-expressionism. This period saw Morley inspiring a new generation of artists, including Julian Schnabel, David Salle, and Eric Fischl. Despite his success, Morley remained restless and experimental, frequently shifting styles and exploring new themes. His work ranged from abstract to realist, neo-romantic to neo-expressionist, always reflecting his biographical experiences and his relentless pursuit of artistic reinvention.
Throughout his career, Morley received numerous accolades, including the inaugural Turner Prize in 1984, which acknowledged his significant impact on contemporary art. He was also honored with awards from the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the Francis J. Greenburger Award, and was inducted into both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Morley's work is included in prestigious public collections worldwide, such as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Ashmolean Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. His exhibitions have been featured in major institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, and the Hayward Gallery, London.
Malcolm Morley passed away on June 1, 2018, just days before his 87th birthday. His legacy endures through his groundbreaking contributions to art, his influence on subsequent generations of artists, and his works that continue to challenge and inspire audiences around the globe. Morley's life and career were a testament to the transformative power of art, marked by constant evolution, profound creativity, and an unwavering commitment to exploring the depths of human experience through painting.
Malcolm Morley Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
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professionalism.
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