Date of Birth: February 13, 1941
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: June 10, 2010
Biography
Sigmar Polke was a German painter and photographer renowned for his innovative and experimental approach to art. Born in Oels, Lower Silesia (now Oleśnica, Poland), Polke’s family fled to Thuringia in 1945 and later settled in Düsseldorf. He studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 1961 to 1967, where he was influenced by the likes of Gerhard Richter and Joseph Beuys. Polke’s work is characterized by a diverse range of styles and techniques, including painting, photography, film, and printmaking. He often utilized unconventional materials like meteor dust, bubble wrap, and even uranium, pushing the boundaries of traditional art mediums. Polke is perhaps best known for his role in coining the term “Capitalist Realism,” a German response to American Pop Art that critiqued both capitalism and socialism. Throughout his career, Polke received numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion at the 1986 Venice Biennale. His works are held in prestigious collections worldwide, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London. Polke passed away in 2010, leaving behind an indelible mark on contemporary art.
5 Interesting Facts about Sigmar Polke
1. Sigmar Polke co-founded the “Capitalist Realism” art movement along with Gerhard Richter and Konrad Lueg.
2. Polke was known for using unorthodox materials in his artwork, including uranium, detergent, and meteorite dust.
3. He won the Golden Lion award at the 1986 Venice Biennale.
4. Polke’s work often addressed themes of consumerism, mass media, and the political climate of post-war Germany.
5. He was also a professor at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg from 1977 to 1991.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sigmar Polke
1. “There has to be an element of risk-taking for me in my work.”
2. “The alchemy of art is about transforming the mundane into the sublime.”
3. “My work is more about questions than answers.”
4. “I like the idea of the artist as a jester, a trickster.”
5. “Reality is not always plausible.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the time of his death, Sigmar Polke’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million, primarily from the sale of his artworks.
Children
Sigmar Polke had two children, Georg Polke and Anna Polke. Georg followed in his father’s footsteps and is also an artist.
Relevant Links
1. [Sigmar Polke – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmar_Polke
2. [Tate Modern – Sigmar Polke](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sigmar-polke-1764
3. [MoMA – Sigmar Polke](https://www.moma.org/artists/4673
4. [Artsy – Sigmar Polke](https://www.artsy.net/artist/sigmar-polke
5. [ArtNet – Sigmar Polke](http://www.artnet.com/artists/sigmar-polke/
