In these works, intricate layers of chromatic densities merge with interwoven geometric patterns and organic forms, inviting viewers into a dynamic matrix where earthy tones and vibrant hues pulse with rhythmic cadence. The compositions range from rich, vibrant palettes to ethereal, pastel tones, each painting offering a unique emotional atmosphere—some evoking a serene, otherworldly calm, while others burst with vibrant energy and fluid motion.
Gottesthal’s meticulous techniques, including pointillist textures and translucent layering, create a sense of depth and dimensionality that draws the viewer into a meditative contemplation of the ephemeral nature of existence. The forms within the paintings seem to both dissolve and reconstitute, challenging perceptions of space and time, and evoking a narrative of transformation and introspection.
These works collectively form a rich tapestry of abstract visual language, exploring the intersections of light, color, and form while delving into deeper existential themes. Gottesthal’s exhibition offers a transcendent experience that engages the viewer on both an intellectual and sensory level, making it a compelling and evocative body of work.
The wood sculptures on exhibit are a powerful exploration of form and material, where the natural qualities of the wood are preserved and elevated to create a deeply contemplative piece. These sculptures feature rugged, organic structures, with the wood’s inherent grain and texture playing a central role in the compositions.
In this piece, emerging from the rough-hewn wood is a delicately carved human face, partially encased within the wood as if it is both emerging from and being absorbed by the material. This strugle between the natural and the sculpted elements creates a striking contrast, symbolizing the intersection of nature and humanity. The face, serene and introspective, appears to be in a state of contemplation, adding a layer of emotional depth to the piece.
The interplay of light and shadow on Gottesthal's sculpture’s enhances three-dimensionality, drawing attention to the intricate details of the carvings as well as the natural beauty of the wood. These pieces stand as a testament to Gottesthal’s ability to work with organic materials in a way that both respects and transforms them, creating art that is at once grounded in the natural world and transcendent in its expression.
In 1978 he was an “Artist in Residence” for the Berkeley School For The Arts painting archaeological sites throughout Mexico with resulting works shown at the Governor's Palace in Oaxaca. He painted murals in the Bell Tower Chapel of a Greek Orthodox Church near Mount Olympus and restored two Byzantine chapels. Greek television made a movie of his life as an artist. After a show in Athens, he moved to Greece to live in the seaside village Stomion where he drew international attention developing his own Sepia ink from squid producing black and white drawings.
His style of painting is often pointillistic, sometimes mosaic-like and many works have spiritual elements.
In Turkey he recorded a nautical recovery of the 11th century Byzantine shipwreck at Serce Harbor.
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In 1992, following a retrospective of his work at the National Museum in Ankara, Gottesthal was awarded a medal for his cultural contribution to Turkey. June 2011, he returned to Vienna, Austria where the cultural attaché of the American Embassy opened his three-week exhibition in the historic village of Gumpoldskirchen. Still actively pursuing multiple mediums, Gottesthal exhibited "Half A Century of Art" in 2018, and has exhibited new works in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Gottesthal’s painting blends earthy tones with fluid, dripping forms, creating a surreal, dreamlike composition. A checkered floor contrasts with organic shapes, evoking tension between structure and chaos. The work reflects themes of transience and the passage of time, capturing a haunting yet resilient atmosphere in abstract visual language.
For the past several decades, Gottesthal has toiled in relative obscurity in his mountaintop studio in Western Maryland. Living atop a serene mountain, he has immersed himself in his work, drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings and the tranquility of his remote sanctuary. This seclusion has allowed him to cultivate a profound and introspective artistic practice, resulting in a body of work that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
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