Overview
Malcolm Morley, born in north London, endured a turbulent childhood marked by displacement during World War II and brief incarceration for housebreaking and theft. During his incarceration, he found solace in art, inspired by Irving Stone's novel about Vincent van Gogh. Released after two years, he pursued formal art education at Camberwell School of Arts and the Royal College of Art alongside notable peers like Peter Blake and Frank Auerbach.
Morley's interest in art piqued significantly upon attending the exhibition "Modern Art in the United States" in 1956 at the Tate Gallery, prompting his shift towards abstract expressionism and a move to New York City in 1958. Through connections with influential artists such as Barnett Newman, Cy Twombly, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol, his career gained momentum mounting his first solo exhibition in 1964 at Kornblee Gallery.
Morley's career was punctuated by significant exhibitions, including Documenta and the Carnegie International, alongside a major retrospective at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1983, where he won the inaugural Turner Prize the following year. He continued to explore new themes and styles, from expressionist brushwork and collage to mythological and historical subjects, reflecting his broad artistic interests and travels.
In his later years, Morley delved into sculpture and continued to engage with contemporary events through his paintings, addressing subjects ranging from sports to global conflicts. Morley passed away in 2018 in Bellport, New York, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile artist whose career spanned continents and artistic styles.