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Creating good art requires skill and imagination. People devote their entire lives to it and still fail to produce a single quality work. But there is a silver lining in every cloud — sometimes artists create such bad works, they're actually kinda good. In their own way.

Just take a look at the Facebook group called Terrible Art in Charity Shops (TAICS).

Its 240K members are constantly sharing pics of the stuff they find while scavenging through thrift stores, and it's clear that one man's trash is another's living room decor. From funny superhero portraits to trippy landscapes, continue scrolling and check out what I mean!

#1

Not Terrible But It Made Me Laugh; Portswood, Southampton UK

Not Terrible But It Made Me Laugh; Portswood, Southampton UK

Alex Thurley-Ratcliff Report

A year ago, Bored Panda published a piece on Terrible Art in Charity Shops, only that time, it was a little bit more specific. Back then we focused on people "role-playing" or recreating the artworks that captured their attention. Now, we're focusing more on a broader angle.

One of the group's admins, Al Bigg, describes the group's community as "a very mixed bunch, from complete amateurs like myself who join TAICS knowing very little about art to artists who pray never to see their own art included in a post, and some people who have studied art on a high level."

"I joined because I love charity shops and thought it would be a laugh," Bigg told Bored Panda. And I think that's part of its charm; people can easily find their place within the group, no matter their artistic skill or expertise.

#2

A Steal For Only £10. In Sue Ryder Hillsborough, Sheffield

A Steal For Only £10. In Sue Ryder Hillsborough, Sheffield

Tori Elle Report

#4

Bought From Scope Cornwall For £1. Titled Fashions For The Ocean Bed. 1930's Print Of Diving Suits From 1500 To Variants Of The 1800's. Cool Or Not?

Bought From Scope Cornwall For £1. Titled Fashions For The Ocean Bed. 1930's Print Of Diving Suits From 1500 To Variants Of The 1800's. Cool Or Not?

Adam Carver Report

According to the admin, the admins and mods aim to keep this place an easy-going, humorous group with just a light touch of oversight to help it to evolve by itself.

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"We love to have a laugh," Bigg said. "We want members to feel part of the community and if we all learn something about art, that's great too!"

As you can see from the pictures, you couldn't define the genre of thrift store paintings. There's a little bit of everything. "The most popular paintings [within the group] are often the ones we would least expect," Bigg said. "However, naivety and nudity always do well as well as the bizarre ones that no one can really explain."

#5

Psychedelic Cat Save The Children, Salisbury, South Australia

Psychedelic Cat Save The Children, Salisbury, South Australia

Jamie Grgurovic Report

#6

This Is Also Pretty Ruff. I Didn't Splash Out On It... Although It Costs Only A Hound Coin... Etc Red Cross Charity Shop In Burnham On Crouch, Essex

This Is Also Pretty Ruff. I Didn't Splash Out On It... Although It Costs Only A Hound Coin... Etc Red Cross Charity Shop In Burnham On Crouch, Essex

Mick Terry Report

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Rowlie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I rolled in a mud, now bath is certain...and so I face the vinyl curtain

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#7

Finally Found Something Worthy I Hope... In St Vincent’s Bunbury West Australia For $6… Lovely Pic Of... Red Blood Cells??

Finally Found Something Worthy I Hope... In St Vincent’s Bunbury West Australia For $6… Lovely Pic Of... Red Blood Cells??

Emma Roth Report

Interestingly, a University of Bamberg research team led by psychologist Claudia Muth conducted a small study and found that "the higher the subjectively perceived degree of ambiguity within an artwork, the more participants liked it, and the more interesting and affecting it was for them."

"Artworks," the researchers state, "are not riddles to be solved via analytic steps." Perhaps Muth and her colleagues should look into Terrible Art in Charity Shops as well?

#8

Came Across This In Weldmar Hospice Are In Lyme Regis - £3.50

Came Across This In Weldmar Hospice Are In Lyme Regis - £3.50

Enza Lisanti Report

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#9

I Saw This A Few Weeks Ago And Forgot To Post. The Cow Picture In The Foreground Was What Caught My Eye For But Actually The Girl Bathing/Baptising The Puppy Is Far Worse I Think. Acorn. Jersey

I Saw This A Few Weeks Ago And Forgot To Post. The Cow Picture In The Foreground Was What Caught My Eye For But Actually The Girl Bathing/Baptising The Puppy Is Far Worse I Think. Acorn. Jersey

Susan Flack Report

Ultimately, the curators of Terrible Art in Charity Shops are its members. "We have to remind [this] every day," Bigg said, pointing to a paragraph in the group's 'About' section which explains that "Admin does not define 'terrible' as this is such a subjective area. As such, posts will not be removed for being good, even if they are prints by a famous artist!"

"Art is subjective, what you find inspirational and wonderful, I could find silly little stickmen in a boring, out of the perspective industrial landscape!" Bigg explained. So, one could say that Terrible Art in Charity Shops is actually a very inclusive group too.

#11

I May Have Had The Same Expression As The Dog Upon Spotting This Gem. Goodwill, 6th Ave Tacoma Wa

I May Have Had The Same Expression As The Dog Upon Spotting This Gem. Goodwill, 6th Ave Tacoma Wa

Shelby Lohr Report

#12

There Is Something About It That Makes Me Keep Looking. Goodwill Sunnyvale, $9.19

There Is Something About It That Makes Me Keep Looking. Goodwill Sunnyvale, $9.19

Raquel González Rojas Report

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Saint Thomas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Terrible art ??????? It's a reproduction of a René Magritte painting called "Intermission". Just one of the greatest name of the Surrealist movement...

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#13

This Is Very Odd, A Possum Riding A Rocking Horse??? What’s Been Stranger Is That I Kind Of Like It, But Not Enough To Buy

This Is Very Odd, A Possum Riding A Rocking Horse??? What’s Been Stranger Is That I Kind Of Like It, But Not Enough To Buy

Lisa Timmytatts Report

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#15

Newcastle Cat And Dog Shelter In Heaton Is This A Cultural Reference? I'm Very Ancient Now So Have No Comprehension Of What This Is

Newcastle Cat And Dog Shelter In Heaton Is This A Cultural Reference? I'm Very Ancient Now So Have No Comprehension Of What This Is

Beth Stothard Report

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Andrea Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So cool, Stranger Things art. I would buy it and by the signature it like like an original. V.cool

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#16

$4.94 Garland Ave Thrift Dallas. It Can Be Yours. And It’s Big, Which Makes It Worse

$4.94 Garland Ave Thrift Dallas. It Can Be Yours. And It’s Big, Which Makes It Worse

Paul Wackym Report

#17

What Are These Owls Mad About? Unpriced, Chehalis, Wa. Thrift Store. I Left It There

What Are These Owls Mad About? Unpriced, Chehalis, Wa. Thrift Store. I Left It There

Nelson Murray Report

#18

Does Anyone Have Idea Who Painted This And Who The Subject Might Be. I'm Not Even Sure If It's Male Or Female? Cancer Research Bristol

Does Anyone Have Idea Who Painted This And Who The Subject Might Be. I'm Not Even Sure If It's Male Or Female? Cancer Research Bristol

John Llewellyn Brees Report

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Mimi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely love this and can't see "bad art" whatsoever. And it's an interesting switching image, every time I'm convinced it's a male it turns a tiny bit more female to me and vice versa. I'd still guess it is a soft male. Great!

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#19

This Came Home With Me A While Ago From An Op Shop In Coffs Harbour, Nsw Australia. Quite An Odd Perspective And Those Nuns Look Like They Will Creep Forward Every Time You Look Away. Feels A Bit Like A Dream Interpretation I Reckon

This Came Home With Me A While Ago From An Op Shop In Coffs Harbour, Nsw Australia. Quite An Odd Perspective And Those Nuns Look Like They Will Creep Forward Every Time You Look Away. Feels A Bit Like A Dream Interpretation I Reckon

Graham Jupp Report

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually sort of like that one, it looks very post-Impressionist.

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#21

I Am Mildly Disturbed By The Way That Strategically-Placed Fish Is Staring Menacingly Into My Soul And Rather Concerned That The Woman Is Actually Dead And Not Just Enjoying An Afternoon Sitting On The Bottom Of The Ocean With Clown Fish Playing In Her Hair

I Am Mildly Disturbed By The Way That Strategically-Placed Fish Is Staring Menacingly Into My Soul And Rather Concerned That The Woman Is Actually Dead And Not Just Enjoying An Afternoon Sitting On The Bottom Of The Ocean With Clown Fish Playing In Her Hair

$12.75 at Community Thrift in Rivera Beach, Florida.

Stacy Stuntzner Fluegge Report

#22

£3.45 For This Beauty, Won't Believe It's Painted/ Drawn But Is!!! I Left It Humbily For The People Who Believe In Hares And Rabbits Laying Eggs At Easter, Or Other Weirdo's... Llandeilo Charity Shop UK Wales

£3.45 For This Beauty, Won't Believe It's Painted/ Drawn But Is!!! I Left It Humbily For The People Who Believe In Hares And Rabbits Laying Eggs At Easter, Or Other Weirdo's... Llandeilo Charity Shop UK Wales

Karien Wolf Report

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me it's terrifying, looks like a hairy tarantula guarding sime weird demon eggs or small serpents.

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#23

So Excited For My First Post That I Almost Forgot To Take The Name Of The Actual Charity Shop! Petrifying Puss - Found In Lighthouse - Buxton, Derbyshire

So Excited For My First Post That I Almost Forgot To Take The Name Of The Actual Charity Shop! Petrifying Puss - Found In Lighthouse - Buxton, Derbyshire

Stephen Radford Report

#24

The Load Of Bull Can Be Yours For £3.50 In Mind Leytonstone

The Load Of Bull Can Be Yours For £3.50 In Mind Leytonstone

Wayne Sanders Report

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#26

Bethany, Leith Walk, Edinburgh. A Bit Strange If Not Downright Terrible. (Would *you* Put This On Your Wall?) Dunno Why My Photo's Black-And-White

Bethany, Leith Walk, Edinburgh. A Bit Strange If Not Downright Terrible. (Would *you* Put This On Your Wall?) Dunno Why My Photo's Black-And-White

Ian Clark Report

#27

I Spotted This Beauty In Savers At Modbury And I Couldn't Stop Thinking About It. My Partner Secretly Purchased It, And Gave It To Me As A Present A Few Weeks Later. It Now Sits Proudly In Our Lounge Room. Think It Was $6

I Spotted This Beauty In Savers At Modbury And I Couldn't Stop Thinking About It. My Partner Secretly Purchased It, And Gave It To Me As A Present A Few Weeks Later. It Now Sits Proudly In Our Lounge Room. Think It Was $6

Emily Fricker Report

#28

Lifelong Thrift, Seattle

Lifelong Thrift, Seattle

Angie Jabine Report

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tuzdayschild
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is deep. That artist was trying to tell us something. I don't have any idea what though.

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#29

Summer Vibes At Wawollie Kringloop In Utrecht (Nl) - 2.5 Euro

Summer Vibes At Wawollie Kringloop In Utrecht (Nl) - 2.5 Euro

Madalina Amza Report

#30

Who Doesn't Want This 4ft Monstrosity Hanging On Their Wall? Couldn't See A Price, Havant

Who Doesn't Want This 4ft Monstrosity Hanging On Their Wall? Couldn't See A Price, Havant

Jxmie May Report

Note: this post originally had 97 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.