When Martin Kippenberger spoke of the “good and the bad” in art, he was missing a key player: Jutta Koether. Born in 1958, she navigated the volatile Cologne art scene, where painting was contested and feminism was a pressing concern.

At Cologne University, Koether studied philosophy and art, and considered a PhD on Antonin Artaud. Her work, she said, incorporates “living social facts from a female perspective.”

But Koether was not just an artist; she was also a musician, collaborating with fellow artists like Tony Conrad, John Miller, and Steven Parrino. Her music, often released as cassettes, complements her painting.

Throughout her career, Koether’s art and music reflect a continuous engagement with cultural and political issues, making her a unique voice in contemporary art.