Back when Netscape was the browser of choice, I clicked every day on What’s Cool, and I think that is how I learned about the Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA), “a community-based, private institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms and in all its glory.” I read that many pieces were pulled out of dumpsters and attics — or found abandoned by the side of the road.
Twenty years later, I got to wondering if MOBA was still around. I found lots of information on their expanded website.
“MOBA was founded in the fall of 1993 and presented its first show in March 1994. The response was overwhelming. Since then, MOBA’s collection and ambitions have grown exponentially.
“Initially, MOBA was housed in the basement of a private home in Boston. This meager exhibition space limited the museum to being a regional cultural resource for the New England area.
“As the only museum dedicated to bringing the worst of art to the widest of audiences we felt morally compelled to explore new, more creative ways of bringing this priceless collection of quality bad art to a global audience. Another Boston-area cultural institution, Dedham Community Theatre, generously allowed MOBA the use of their basement. Our first permanent gallery is now conveniently located just outside the men’s room in a 1927 movie theatre.
“The ambiance created such a convivial atmosphere, that when we went looking for a second location, the only place that was up to our quality standards was another theatre basement. The Somerville Theater in Davis Square, Somerville MA is now our second gallery.”
MOBA now exhibits online, publishes an email newsletter called MOBA News, and offers the book Museum of Bad Art : Masterworks. More here.
It was hard to pick one piece of art to show you from the many great examples online. But what’s not to love about the landscape below?
Says MOBA, “The wild westerly wind that devastated this peaceful bucolic landscape was strong enough to denude mature trees, grossly distort fair weather clouds, rend the fur from a cow, bend a wrought iron weather vane, and induce panic in a basset hound whose ears and tongue point due east. …
“In the note accompanying his donation, Mr. Roots wrote, ‘I was happy with the way the barn turned out. It was when I started animals and people that [I realized] I was having problems with proportions.’
“He enjoys other creative pursuits in addition to painting. ‘I have won the World’s Worst Poetry Contest in Pismo Beach, CA, placing 1st, 2nd, and 4th in separate years., [and] I have made many bottles of home brew and wine.’ ”
Art: Bob “Grandpa” Roots
“On a Windy Day,” Donated to the Museum of Bad Art
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Hmmm . . . I wonder how they decide what to take. I mean, is there a jurying process that determines if the art is bad enough for them?
The whole concept is so crazy, it’s fun. Who decides, for example, if tagging railway bridges is street art or vandalism? Probably everyone’s sense of when tagging tips over into art is different.What an elusive thing art is to define! It’s like try to define happiness. And yet, I would never subscribe to the view that everything is art.
In 50 years’ time, this painting by Grandpa Roots will be classified as “folk art” by Antiques Roadshow appraisers. Its value: priceless! 🙂
I hope so, Beth. I really love it.