Higher Beings Command (Höhere Wesen befehlen)

1961–1967

The Düsseldorf Art Academy

At twenty Polke entered the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where in 1961–1967 he studied under Karl Otto Götz and Gerhard Hoehme and was deeply influenced by his teacher Joseph Beuys.

1966

First one-man show, in West Berlin

In 1966 Polke had his first one-person show at the Galerie René Block in West Berlin.

1968

A portfolio of 14 photographs

In 1968, the year after he left the academy, Polke published a portfolio of 14 photographs of small sculptures made of buttons, balloons and a glove, shot with a Rollei camera. Until 1971 he made several films and thousands of photographs, most of which he could not afford to print.

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.