Martin Kippenberger

Martin Kippenberger (German, 1953–1997) led a brief but enormously productive and geographically varied life. Born in Germany, he studied art at the Hochschule für bildende Künste in Hamburg, but lived thereafter in Berlin, Florence, New York and Rio de Janeiro. Described as a Neo-Dadaist for his energetic irreverence, Kippenberger worked freely in several mediums, including painting, sculpture, and poster and book arts.
He also explored a myriad of subject matter, commenting ironically on aspects of the art world including the role of the artist in current art production, the most prominent contemporary artists in Germany (Sigmar Polke, Joseph Beuys, and Georg Baselitz), as well as examinations of canonical art history. Unfortunately, his production was hindered by his alcoholism, and he died of cancer at the young age of 44.