A Journey into Polke’s World

The Artist: Sigmar Polke’s Life and Vision

Born in 1941 in Oels, a town in German Silesia (now Olesnica in Poland), Polke’s early life was marked by displacement and political upheaval. In 1953, his family fled East Germany for the West, settling in Düsseldorf. There, Polke began an apprenticeship in a stained-glass factory before enrolling at the Düsseldorf Kunstakademie in 1961. His work often blended painting with the dots of newsprint images, producing each dot by hand, and he experimented with darkroom and photochemical manipulation to extend the boundaries of painting.

In the 1960s, Polke co-founded the movement “Capitalist Realism” with Gerhard Richter, Manfred Kuttner, and Konrad Lueg, offering a critical and caricatured critique of both communist and capitalist values. Throughout his career, Polke remained a relentless experimenter, integrating various materials and techniques into his art, including industrial products like motor oil and petrol, as well as semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and malachite.

SIGMAR POLKE

«Carl Andre in Delft»

1968

SIGMAR POLKE

«The Day of Glory Has Arrived»

1988

SIGMAR POLKE

«To Versailles, to Versailles»

1988

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition’s title, “Beneath the Cobblestones, the Earth,” references the famous French slogan of the May 1968 movement, symbolizing the desire for change and a return to fundamental truths. This theme resonates throughout Polke’s work, which often challenges societal norms and explores the hidden layers beneath the surface of everyday life.

Key Works:

• “Kartoffelhaus (Potato House)” (1967–1990): A wooden structure adorned with real potatoes, reflecting Polke’s fascination with this humble tuber as a symbol of sustenance and artistic inspiration.
• “Le jour de gloire est arrivé” (1988): A painting that juxtaposes triumph and catastrophe, inviting viewers to question the true cost of glory.
• “Sans titre (Palermo)” (1976): A series of photographs taken in the catacombs of Palermo, depicting dressed skeletons and exploring themes of mortality and the passage of time.

The exhibition also features two original paintings by Vincent van Gogh, “Peasant and Peasant Woman Planting Potatoes” and “Basket of Potatoes,” drawing a connection between the two artists’ explorations of agrarian life and the symbolism of the potato.

Critical Reception

Art critics have praised the exhibition for its comprehensive portrayal of Polke’s multifaceted career. As noted in ArtDaily, the exhibition “highlights the complexity of the artist’s work, which is tinged with a wicked, unconventional sense of humour, driven by the desire to experiment and a critical spirit.”

Visitors have also expressed admiration for the exhibition’s depth and the Fondation’s commitment to showcasing Polke’s legacy. One attendee remarked, “The Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles has brought together an impressive collection that truly captures Polke’s innovative spirit.”

About the Venue: Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles

Located in the heart of Arles, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Vincent van Gogh while fostering contemporary artistic dialogue. The Fondation regularly hosts exhibitions that juxtapose Van Gogh’s work with that of modern and contemporary artists, creating a dynamic space for reflection and discovery.

Sigmar Polke: Beneath the Cobblestones, the Earth

Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, March 1 – October 26, 2025

Website: fondation-vincentvangogh-arles.org

Note: The above article provides an overview of the exhibition “Sigmar Polke: Beneath the Cobblestones, the Earth” at the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, highlighting key artworks and the artist’s innovative approach. For more detailed information, please refer to the official exhibition page: Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles.

In the catalog Art Most works in the style of Sigmar Polke:

Gorenshtein Aleksandr

«Circus. Musical eccentrics»

2020

Daria Mazur

«Shadows of Memories»

2024

Djénina Hagenburger

«Dull Echoes II»

2023

Slava Tishin

«Everything will pass 1»

2025

Sofi Ginger

«Calm patterns of karma»

2018

Slava Tishin

«Smooth City (graphics, 8 copies)»

2025

Boris Voitsekhovskiy

«Az och und vey»

2024

Zoran Zugic

«FREAKS»

1980

Fedorov Stanislav

«A very strange man»

2011

Catalogue: