Sigmar Polke (*1941 in Oels, †2010 in Cologne) is one of the most significant post-war German artists. In 1963, together with Manfred Kuttner, Gerhard Richter and Konrad Lueg, he called for “capitalist realism” – as an answer to the Socialist Realism of Eastern Europe. Polke's work is distinguished by a subtle irony and a critique of the burgeoning consumer society of the Federal Republic of Germany. When asked about his artistic source of inspiration, Polke's answer was: “... commanding higher beings”. Under same title, a portfolio was released by Edition Block in 1968 with Polke's drawings, as well as 14 offset prints corresponding with photographs by Polke and Christoph Kohlhöfer. Neue Berliner Kunstverein here offers a selection of multiples certified by the publisher from this acclaimed portfolio. Each photograph is identified on its bottom edge with a subtitle in German Gothic typeface, in which the presented image is again named. With this exaggerated, authoritarian gesture, Polke questions not only his own role as an artist, but also the conventions of artistic creation.

Sigmar Polke's works have been shown in countless solo and group exhibitions, including: Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden (2017); Museum Ludwig, Köln (2015); Tate Modern, London (2014); Museum of Modern Art, New York (1999); Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn (1997); Nationalgalerie im Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart, Berlin (1997); Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (1995); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (1992); Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden–Baden (1990); Venedig Biennale (1986); Kunsthaus Zürich (1984), Documenta, Kassel (1982; 1979; 1972).