GRETA

The House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany Foundation acquired the work "Greta" by the artist Ali Zülfikar for the museum. While promoting a purchase, Dr. Ms. Benner from the Foundation House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany owns the funded artwork "Greta" for the museum. On behalf of Dr. Benner to the artist: "We read with interest about your Greta Thunberg portrait as part of the "Art for the Billboard" campaign in Karlsruhe and about the multiple defacements it has undergone during the presentation. As a museum of contemporary history, we are interested for political art and especially for the reactions it provokes. Since both come together in your painting, I would like to ask you whether you still own the painting and whether it might be possible to include it in our collection." Ali Zülfikar exhibited the painting with the motif of the world-famous environmental activist in public space. With his large-format portrait drawing, he took part in the "Art on the billboard" campaign in Karlsruhe. But not all contemporaries liked the work of art because it was damaged. Unknown perpetrators first smeared a white mask over the face with a white brush and wrote "Heil Mask" across the portrait. Then another person painted the letters "G,!" with black spray. The result: "G-Heil Mask" The exhibition was then canceled. Composition theme GRETA In 2021, Ali Zülfikar created portraits of environmental activist Greta Thunberg under the topic name "GRETA". With his masterful, large-format, detailed portrait technique, he drew Greta and placed her on an oversized billboard measuring 360 x 260 cm. The artist chose this theme to support their activities against the destruction of nature, which is limited due to the pandemic. Ali Zülfikar designs the composition in a burnt magenta color harmony. He uses natural materials such as wood, pencil, pigments, charcoal, etc. and emphasizes the harmonious interplay of art and nature as the geographical space that serves as the basis for the artwork. With his portrait art, he makes a socio-political contribution to the resource-saving sustainability debate in the visual arts scene. In 2021, the Cologne artist Ali Zülfikar received a grant from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia for the Greta portrait "Art on the billboard”.