Martin Kippenberger's premature death in 1997 at the age of 43 brought to an end one of the most prolific and controversial careers in 20th-century art. While some critics dismissed the German painter and sculptor as a showman, others hailed him as the greatest artist of his era. His personal history and bad-boy image have often obscured the importance of his work; this book shows that his legacy has influenced generations of artists.

Essays examine the themes underlying Kippenberger's work, including Socialist Realism and kitsch; self portraiture and myth; punk and anti-romanticism; and exile and homelessness. A new translation of Kippenberger's final interview ensures his own idiosyncratic voice is present.