FUNF IN KOLN. 1979. ONE OF ONLY c. 20 – 30 COPIES OF THIS RARE BOOK

Koln: Klnischer Kunstverein. 1979
29.5 x 21cm, 26pp. Original self-wrappers, stapled. Artist’s book consisting of b/w xeroxes. The subject matter utilised by Polke for this artist book are clippings from newspapers, small collages, double printed images.

An artist’s book which was planned to be released as a ‘stand-alone’ catalogue supplement to mark the joint exhibition ‘Michael Buthe, Sigmar Polke, Ulrike Rosenbach, Gerhard Rhm, Alf Schuler – Funf in Koln’, held at the Kolnischer Kunstverein in 1979. The photocopy series was intended to be bound into the catalogue of the exhibition however this never materialised. Only a very small number were ever printed and distributed amongst the artist’s friends. The catalogue raisonne states approximately 30 copies being printed but the true number may well be as few as 20. The condition is VG although there is some browning and minor staining to the last page – images can be provided if required.

Provenence: German collection obtained directly from the exhibition. Ref: Polke Catalogue Raisonee Nr 52.

One of the few artist’s books one can say is genuinely exceptionally rare.