Aurora 2000

Sigmar Polke painted this Aurora using a muted palette of yellows, reds, and browns. It's as though the canvas is a place where forms and figures emerge gradually. The painting process feels like a form of searching. I wonder what Polke was thinking when he made this? Maybe about how to depict light and shadow in a way that feels both ethereal and grounded. Notice how the thin red lines define the figure, creating a sense of both presence and ephemerality. It makes me think of other painters like Laura Owens, who are also interested in the dialogue between figuration and abstraction. Polke’s wider practice is so compelling, it's about experimenting with materials and techniques. Painting is all about dialogue. Artists are in constant conversation, inspiring each other across time. Polke’s playful ambiguity embraces this uncertainty, allowing for multiple readings.