The Van Gogh Foundation in Arles is presenting a comprehensive retrospective of German artist Sigmar Polke, who died in 2010 at age 69. The exhibition features over 60 works by Polke, displayed in dialogue with two paintings by the Dutch master Van Gogh. This important showcase highlights Polke's distinctive approach to art, characterized by both playfulness and profound depth.

Polke was known for his unconventional materials and experimental techniques, painting found images from newspapers onto sheets, blankets, and polyester fabrics. Beyond painting, he was eager to explore various artistic mediums including photography, sculpture, and video. His art was distinguished by its combination of joy and intellectual rigor, often mocking the seriousness of museums and artistic conventions while delivering sharp social criticism.

A revealing anecdote from early in Polke's career demonstrates his irreverent approach to art. While still a student at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts in 1966, at just 25 years old, Polke wrote on a altarpiece panel called "Vitrinenstück": "I was standing in front of the canvas and wanted to paint a bouquet of flowers. That's when I received the following order from higher spirits: no bouquet! Paint flamingos! I first wanted to continue painting, but I quickly understood that they weren't joking." This playful yet subversive attitude would define his artistic voice throughout his career.

The pairing of Polke with Van Gogh at the Arles foundation might seem unexpected. Foundation director Bice Curiger, who is curating this exhibition as her final show before handing over to Jean de Loisy, acknowledges that "the comparison is not obvious." The idea came from collector Maja Hoffmann, founder of the neighboring Luma Foundation. Curiger admits she was initially "surprised, almost incredulous" about the concept.

However, Curiger found inspiration in the dialogue between the two artists, describing them in the exhibition catalog as "realists who sought how to express their perception of the world with greater relevance and intensity." Despite their different eras and approaches, both artists shared a commitment to capturing reality through innovative artistic means. Van Gogh's emotional intensity and bold brushwork find an echo in Polke's experimental materials and irreverent commentary on contemporary society.

The exhibition runs during the summer season at the Van Gogh Foundation, coinciding with Arles' renowned photography festival, Les Rencontres de la Photographie. This timing allows visitors to experience Polke's multimedia approach alongside the city's celebration of visual arts. The retrospective represents a significant opportunity to reassess Polke's contribution to contemporary art and understand his lasting influence on experimental artistic practices.