Untitled (Lens Painting) - Sigmar Polke

A striking example of Sigmar Polke's experimental approach, this work blends mass-produced textile patterns with fluid, distorted painterly interventions.

Sigmar Polke, a central figure in the German post-war art scene, produced this work as part of his experimental series involving synthetic fabrics and chemical reactions. The composition utilises pre-patterned textiles, specifically mass-produced fabrics featuring geometric chevrons and damask-like motifs, as the primary support. By applying layers of paint and resin, Polke obscures and reveals the underlying patterns, creating a tension between the decorative surface and the painterly intervention. The work incorporates the artist's interest in optical distortion and material instability. The white, fluid forms applied over the fabric suggest a lens-like effect, warping the viewer's perception of the rigid, repetitive patterns beneath. Polke often employed unconventional materials, including lacquer, silver nitrate, and industrial pigments, to ensure the work remained in a state of flux. This approach reflects his broader interest in the fallibility of visual information and the subjective nature of perception. In this piece, the juxtaposition of the red damask pattern on the left and the blue chevron design on the right creates a stark visual contrast, bridged by a central strip of circular, colourful motifs. The white, amorphous shape that cuts across the right side of the canvas acts as a disruptive element, challenging the order of the textile design. Polke avoids traditional painterly techniques, opting instead for a process-oriented method that prioritises the interaction between chemical substances and the chosen substrate. The result is a complex visual field that invites the viewer to question the authenticity of the image and the reliability of the medium itself. This print captures the texture and layered quality of the original, preserving the interplay between the industrial fabric and the artist's gestural marks.