The work of the Flemish painter Pol Mara enjoys worldwide fame. After an early period of neo-expressionist and symbolic figuration, followed by a period of exclusively abstract work in the 1950's, Pol Mara introduced photo realistic elements into his work in the early 1960's which show a thematic link with the then emerging phenomenon of mass communication. In his own highly characteristic style, Pol Mara managed to encapsulate the work of the American pop art artists. His work is reminiscent of that of the American artist Rauschenberg, for example, but as a Fleming he was very much an odd man out. The quality of his work was undeniable, however, and he was to receive numerous official awards. Pol Mara also represented his country as Flemish Cultural Ambassador. The memory of Pol Mara is kept alive by the Musee Pol Mara in the town of Gordes in Provence, France.