Martin Maloney

Martin Maloney was born in 1961 in London, where he still lives and works today. His art, like that of Chantal Joffe, is defined as “Bad Painting,” referring to a transgressive artistic trend that is deliberately ungraceful and deformed. He has always enjoyed painting in an expressionist style, characterized by bold colors and figures he encounters on the street or in the local shop, as well as significant pop situations, exemplified by his work Band Rehearsal from 1999.

This large canvas, painted in an apparently chaotic manner, depicts "The Quarrymen," John Lennon’s first band, with his unmistakable glasses peeking over the shoulder of the guitarist against a vivid acid green background. The six members of the group were all boys from Liverpool, schoolmates of Lennon. In addition to him, the members included John Lowe, Rod Davis, Len Garry, Colin Hanton, and Pete Shotton. The entire band is portrayed with a cheerful, clumsy demeanor that is simultaneously endearing, despite the many flaws that Maloney has no qualms about showcasing through his bold brushstrokes.