Although the work of Sigmar Polke, one of the leading German artists in the international art scene, is represented in a number of public and private collections, exhibitions have tended to focus largely on isolated aspects of his extraordinarily diversified ouvre. A comprehensive survey and an in-depth monograph have long been overdue. The present volume, published by Cantz, presents the art of Sigmar Polke in its entirety. The work of this artist eludes stylistic categorization and its ironic, disrespectful approach to pictorial content, materials and (reproduction) techniques exposes stereotypes, parodies hollowness and shakes the foundations of customary patterns of vision and thought. With exceptional technical skill and a love of experimentation, Polke has developed a pictorial language all his own. This ambitious book featuring essays by well-known authors presents more than 200 works representing all of the artist's creative periods and each of the genres in which he has worked, beginning with his earliest pieces (1962) and including previously unpublished works completed during the past two years. (German edition available 3-89322-920-5) The artist: Sigmar Polke, born 1942 in Oels/Silesia. 1961-1967 studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf under Karl Otto Götz and Gerhard Hoehme. 1963 manifestation of "Capitalist Realism" with Konrad Fischer- Lueg and Gerhard Richter. Has exhibited at several past documenta and Venice Biennial exhibitions. Professor at the Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg since 1989. Lives and works in Cologne.