Untitled (Zurich)

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.

1973

Move to the Gaspelshof near Willich

In 1973 Polke moved to the village of Gaspelshof near Willich on the Lower Rhine. The Gaspelshof was an artists' commune where he lived in the early 1970s.

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.

1975

Painting prize at the São Paulo Biennial

For the 13th São Paulo Biennial Polke made a series of ten large photographic images, and he won the Biennial's prize for painting.

1977–1991

Professor at the Hamburg Academy

From 1977 to 1991 Polke was a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Hamburg; his students included Georg Herold.