"Kölner Bettler" I

1970

Solo show at the Galerie Michael Werner

In 1970 Polke had his first solo exhibition at the Galerie Michael Werner.

1970–1971

Teaching at the Hamburg Academy of Fine Arts

In 1970–1971 Polke taught at the Hamburg Academy of Fine Arts.

1971

Paris photographs under LSD

In 1971 Polke photographed Paris and printed the pictures with chemical staining while under the influence of LSD, creating works full of “strange presences”; with them began his use of the photographic process to alter “reality” — creased and folded wet paper, negatives combined with positives.

30. juni 1972 – 8. oktober 1972

Exhibition: Documenta 5

1973

In the United States with James Lee Byars

In 1973 Polke travelled to the United States with the artist James Lee Byars in search of the “other” America; the fruit of the journey was a series of manipulated images of homeless alcoholics on New York's Bowery.

1974

A journey through Pakistan and Afghanistan

In the 1970s Polke made a series of round-the-world journeys, photographing in Paris, New York, Afghanistan and Brazil; in 1974 he travelled through Pakistan and Afghanistan.