Boogie Moli

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Daniel David Moli, better known as Boogie, moved to the UK in 1995.

Growing up in Luton, he could either be on the streets or play football. He chose the latter and, falling in love with the sport, started an apprenticeship at Liverpool FC. However, his dream of a football career was cut short after he tore a ligament at 24, plunging him into depression.

It was during rehabilitation that Moli started his first art project of painting trainers and selling them to friends. Soon moving to canvases, he built his style by exploring the works of Warhol, Basquiat, Retna, and Condo, and finally settled for a graffiti-inspired style for which he uses several techniques, including wheat paste as an adhesive, which he mixes himself.

Since his first canvases, Moli’s career has gone from strength to strength. His debut exhibition was staged at Manchester’s National Football Museum in 2019, followed by collaborations with major brands and The Couture Club retail store. His works are collected worldwide, and he is also known for commissions from football stars, including Jack Grealish, Antonio Rudiger, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, and Jesse Lingard.

Moli Icons bears the influence of Pop Art (most evident in his détournement-heavy portraits of Andy Warhol and Marilyn Monroe), which is one of several artistic touchstones for Boogie. He also uses several interesting techniques, including wheat paste as an adhesive, the mix for which Boogie makes himself.

Visitors to the show will enjoy 25 new original paintings, limited edition prints, collectible hand embellished football boots and paint-embellished footballs. Boogie joins Quantus Gallery’s impressive roll call of artists, which includes Opake, Eve de Haan, Banksy, David Shrigley, Stony, Lauren Baker, Clarke Reynolds, Christian Furr, Frances Segelman and Rob Munday.