Martin Kippenberger's Hotel Drawings are a fascinating collection of artworks that span the last decade of his life, from 1987 to 1997. This series comprises hundreds of drawings made on hotel stationery, reflecting Kippenberger's extensive travels and stays across various European and American cities. The Smart Museum of Art and the Renaissance Society once presented an exhibition that included about 200 pieces from this series, describing them as an "autobiography in sketches"​ (Smart Museum)​.

The hotel drawings range from doodle-like sketches to highly finished compositions, many of which relate to Kippenberger's broader work in paintings, sculptures, and installations. This extensive collection is considered a window into Kippenberger's mind, offering insights into his itinerant lifestyle and his reflections on the art world, society, and the self. These works encapsulate the contradictions found in Kippenberger's view of himself and the world around him—simultaneously absurd, hopeful, tragic, charming, and bleak​ (Smart Museum)​.

Kippenberger had a unique approach to creating these drawings, often staying at hotels for extended periods to immerse himself in his work. He also collected hotel stationery as a sort of 'readymade' object, using it as a marker of a specific time and place. Each drawing stands as a distinct piece while also echoing themes from Kippenberger's larger body of work. The drawings pulsate with an impulsive energy, offering a posthumous peek into the artist's psyche through rough-drawn figures and scribbled thoughts that reflect the life of an itinerant​ (Marc Jancou)​.

Through the Hotel Drawings, Martin Kippenberger challenges traditional notions of artistic creation and presentation, blurring the lines between art and life. These pieces not only document his travels but also serve as a commentary on the transient and ephemeral nature of existence and creativity.