Joel Thottathil has been working on his first major series, Dear Mr. Thottathil, since 2020. He has always been fascinated by stars from pop culture, politics, sports, and religion—along with the mechanisms that create fame. His interests range from footballers and pop stars to Catholic priests, the Pope, and royal families.
As if to surround himself with these extraordinary figures, Joel Thottathil began creating ceramic portraits. He then photographed his ceramic pieces and sent these images, along with personal letters, to the individuals he had portrayed. Responses came from the Vatican, the British royal family, and Meghan Markle, among others. Each letter begins with “Dear Mr. Thottathil, …” and will be exhibited alongside the ceramic works in his first solo exhibition.
This series challenges societal assumptions and invites viewers to reflect on the construction of fame, power, and identity. It raises questions about the significance of celebrity in today’s world and how the dialogue between the artist and iconic figures alters the perceived distance between them.
WHERE Goldstein Galerie, Schweizer Str. 84, Frankfurt am Main OPENING Friday, March 28, 2025, 7 PM DURATION March 29 – May 10, 2025 OPENING HOURS Thu – Sat, 2 – 6 PM
March 28 – May 10, 2025
Joel Thottathil has been working on his first major series, Dear Mr. Thottathil, since 2020. He has always been fascinated by stars from pop culture, politics, sports, and religion—along with the mechanisms that create fame. His interests range from footballers and pop stars to Catholic priests, the Pope, and royal families.
As if to surround himself with these extraordinary figures, Joel Thottathil began creating ceramic portraits. He then photographed his ceramic pieces and sent these images, along with personal letters, to the individuals he had portrayed. Responses came from the Vatican, the British royal family, and Meghan Markle, among others. Each letter begins with “Dear Mr. Thottathil, …” and will be exhibited alongside the ceramic works in his first solo exhibition.
This series challenges societal assumptions and invites viewers to reflect on the construction of fame, power, and identity. It raises questions about the significance of celebrity in today’s world and how the dialogue between the artist and iconic figures alters the perceived distance between them.
WHERE Goldstein Galerie, Schweizer Str. 84, Frankfurt am Main
OPENING Friday, March 28, 2025, 7 PM
DURATION March 29 – May 10, 2025
OPENING HOURS Thu – Sat, 2 – 6 PM