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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.
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.
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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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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