On Friday, March 28, the solo exhibition “Dear Mr. Thottathil” opens at Galerie Goldstein. Since 2020, artist Joel Thottathil has been working on this eponymous series. He has always been fascinated by figures from pop culture, politics, sports, and religion—and by the mechanisms that lead to fame. His interests span from football players and pop stars to Catholic priests, the Pope, and royal families.
As if to surround himself with these extraordinary individuals, Joel Thottathil began creating ceramic portraits. In a further step, he photographed the ceramics and sent the images—along with a personal letter—to each of the portrayed figures. He received replies from, among others, the Vatican, the British royal family, and Meghan Markle. Each letter begins with the words: “Dear Mister Thottathil, …” These letters will be displayed alongside the ceramic works in his first solo exhibition.
This series challenges preconceived ideas within our society and invites reflection on the construction of fame, power, and identity. It raises questions about the significance of celebrity in our time and how the distance between artist and icon may shift through this form of dialogue.
WHERE Goldstein Galerie, Schweizer Str. 84, Frankfurt am Main OPENING Friday, March 28, 2025, 7 p.m. DURATION March 29 – May 10, 2025 OPENING HOURS Thu – Sat, 2 – 6 p.m.
On Friday, March 28, the solo exhibition “Dear Mr. Thottathil” opens at Galerie Goldstein. Since 2020, artist Joel Thottathil has been working on this eponymous series. He has always been fascinated by figures from pop culture, politics, sports, and religion—and by the mechanisms that lead to fame. His interests span from football players and pop stars to Catholic priests, the Pope, and royal families.
As if to surround himself with these extraordinary individuals, Joel Thottathil began creating ceramic portraits. In a further step, he photographed the ceramics and sent the images—along with a personal letter—to each of the portrayed figures. He received replies from, among others, the Vatican, the British royal family, and Meghan Markle. Each letter begins with the words: “Dear Mister Thottathil, …” These letters will be displayed alongside the ceramic works in his first solo exhibition.
This series challenges preconceived ideas within our society and invites reflection on the construction of fame, power, and identity. It raises questions about the significance of celebrity in our time and how the distance between artist and icon may shift through this form of dialogue.
WHERE Goldstein Galerie, Schweizer Str. 84, Frankfurt am Main
OPENING Friday, March 28, 2025, 7 p.m.
DURATION March 29 – May 10, 2025
OPENING HOURS Thu – Sat, 2 – 6 p.m.