A.R. PENCK

A.R. Penck (1939–2017), born Ralf Winkler, was a key figure in post-WWII German art, known for his Streichholzmännchen—stick-like figures surrounded by symbols, numbers, and letters. His bold, raw style critiqued political and cultural systems while exploring intuition and chaos. A major retrospective in Kunstmuseum Den Haag showcases nearly 200 works, highlighting his lifelong exploration of painting. After leaving the DDR in 1980, he experimented with diverse materials and styles, creating expressive works under multiple pseudonyms. His art defies clear categorization, blending abstraction,