For the past forty years, Joel Otterson has made artworks, which combine aspects of domestic handicraft with traditional sculptural materials. Copper pipe, bronze, woodworking, pottery, porcelain, china, earthenware, concrete, stained glass and lacemaking are the raw materials of Otterson’s practice. Utilizing varied techniques such as sewing, quilting, casting and welding, Otterson combines discordant materials, continuously reevaluating and transforming supposed artistic hierarchies. The artist blurs the line between high and low culture, art and craft to create objects which are simultaneously utilitarian and de-constructivist, delicate and robust. Through this endeavor, Otterson explores various cultural, art historic and political phenomena such as aesthetics, the sublime, Rock-N-Roll, Baseball, the domestic, and what it means to be an American.
Otterson received his BFA from Parsons School of Design, New York in 1982. Previous exhibitions include The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY (PROJECT series, 1987); the Venice Biennale (1993); the Hammer Museum (Made in L.A., 2012) and the Whitney Museum of American Art (2014 Whitney Biennial). Otterson’s work is included in numerous permanent collections such as Cincinnati Art Museum, The Broad Foundation, the Hammer Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Exhibitions
How To Be Beautiful, 2024
The History of Rock-N-Roll Dinnerware, 1991 - 1993 for Onsen Confidential hosted by 4649 with Galerie Gregor Staiger, 2024
We'll Be Your Mirror for Condo hosted by Herald St, 2024
Atavism for the Future, 2023
Installation view. How To Be Beautiful by Joel Otterson, 2024. Ehrlich Steinberg, Los Angeles. Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, The Last Judgment, 2024. Ceramic beads, glass, stone, plastic, coral, wood, steel, copper, bronze, Japanese silver leaf, dimensions variable. Photo: Evan Walsh.
Detail. Joel Otterson, The Last Judgment, 2024. Ceramic beads, glass, stone, plastic, coral, wood, steel, copper, bronze, Japanese silver leaf, dimensions variable. Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, Divine Symmetry, 2024. Sterling silver, moss agate, sapphire, bronze, 4.5 x 2.5 in. (11.4 x 6.4 cm). Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, Heavenly Embrace, 2024. Sterling silver, moss agate, copper, bronze, 3.5 x 3.75 in. (8.9 x 9.5 cm). Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, Heavenly Embrace, 2024. Sterling silver, moss agate, copper, bronze, 3.5 x 3.75 in. (8.9 x 9.5 cm). Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, Heavenly Embrace, 2024. Sterling silver, moss agate, copper, bronze, 3.5 x 3.75 in. (8.9 x 9.5 cm). Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, World Without End, 2024. Sterling silver, moss agate, smoky quartz, bronze, 3.5 x 3.5 in. (8.9 x 8.9 cm). Photo: Evan Walsh.
Installation view. Selections from The History of Rock-N-Roll Dinnerware, 1991 - 1993 by Joel Otterson for Onsen Confidential, 2024.
Installation view. Selections from The History of Rock-N-Roll Dinnerware, 1991 - 1993 by Joel Otterson for Onsen Confidential, 2024.
Installation view. Selections from The History of Rock-N-Roll Dinnerware, 1991 - 1993 by Joel Otterson for Onsen Confidential, 2024.
Joel Otterson, KISS Dessert Plate, 1993. Hand glazed porcelain, 8.5 x 9.25 x 1 in. (21.6 x 23.5 x 2.5 cm).
Installation view. We’ll Be Your Mirror, 2024. Condo London with Herald St, London hosting Ehrlich Steinberg, Los Angeles.
Installation view. We’ll Be Your Mirror, 2024. Condo London with Herald St, London hosting Ehrlich Steinberg, Los Angeles.
Joel Otterson, Floating Clouds Over a Topaz Sky, 2024. Moss agate, silver, and topaz, 3 x 2.5 in. (7.6 x 6.3 cm).
Installation view. Atavism for the Future, 2023. Ehrlich Steinberg, Los Angeles. Photo: Evan Walsh.
Joel Otterson, Out West, 2023. Silver, bronze, moss agate, 2.5 x 3 in. (6.3 x 7.6 cm). Photo: Evan Walsh.
Installation view. Chuck Nanney & Joel Otterson, curated by Ugo Rondinone, 2022. Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich.
Joel Otterson, Bearing Gifts, 2018. Cast brass, steel, and Japanese silver leaf, 51 x 26 x 8 in. (129.5 x 66 x 20.3 cm).
Installation view. Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s, 2018. The Hirshhorn Museum, Washington.
Installation view. Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s, 2018. The Hirshhorn Museum, Washington.
Installation view. Every Future Has A Price: 30 Years After Infotainment, 2016. Elizabeth Dee, New York.
Installation view. First Exhibition, 2016. Elizabeth Dee, New York.
Installation view. Convene, 2016. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas.
Joel Otterson, White Wall of China, 2014. American ceramic collection, steel, and plastic casters, 95 x 60 x 12 in. (241.3 x 152.4 x 30.5 cm).
Installation view. Needleworks by Joel Otterson, 2015. Maloney Fine Arts, Los Angeles.
Installation view. The Whitney Biennial, 2014. The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.
Installation view. Made In L.A., 2012. The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.
Installation view. Made In L.A., 2012. The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.
Joel Otterson, Fidelity Star, 2001 - 2003. Concrete, cut porcelain dinner plates, paving bricks, 228 x 264 in. (579.1 x 670.6 cm).
Installation view. New Works by Joel Otterson, 1997. Michael Solway Gallery, Cincinnati.
Joel Otterson, The Wall of China Made in America (The Peacable Kingdom), 1995. Copper plumbing pipe and fittings, a collection of various American ceramics, 89 x 106 x 18 in. (226.1 x 269.2 x 45.7 cm). Collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati.
Joel Otterson, The Unorthodox Menorah, 1995. Copper, glass, enameled cast iron, steel, 37.25 x 61 x 16.5 in. (94.6 x 154.9 x 41.9 cm). Collection of the Jewish Museum, New York.
Joel Otterson, Divine Intervention, 1994. 1961 AMI Continental Juke Box, hot sculpted glass skeletons, steel, vinyl records, 108 x 80 x 48 in. (274.3 x 203.2 x 121.9 cm).
Joel Otterson, Bathtub Chair with Television USA, 1994. Enameled cast iron, copper pipes, upholstery, and appropriated elements, 48 x 42 x 63.5 in. (122 x 107 x 161 cm).
Installation view. Endangered Species by Joel Otterson, 1992. Jay Gorney Modern Art, New York.
Joel Otterson, TV Vanity, 1992. Mixed media installation with television and two-way mirror, 55 x 136 x 51 in. (139.7 x 345.4 x 129.5 cm).
Joel Otterson, Elton John Serving Platter, 1992. Glazed porcelain, 13.6 x 11.5 x 1.5 in. (34.5 x 29.2 x 3.8 cm).
Joel Otterson, T. Rex Serving Platter, 1993. Hand-glazed porcelain with bronze and sterling silver repairs, 20 x 14.5 x 1.25 in. (51 x 37 x 3 cm).
Installation view. God’s Promise with the History of Rock & Roll Dinnerware by Joel Otterson, 1994. Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Los Angeles.
Installation view. Viewing Room, 1992. Jay Gorney Modern Art, New York.
Joel Otterson, Black Beauty, 1991. Airbrush painting, copper pipes, candelabra, refrigerator, textile, 82 x 50 x 28 in. (208.3 x 127 x 71.1 cm). Collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati. Gift of Lou and Marjorie Rauh.
Joel Otterson, California Candied Apple New Age Fairytale Refrigerator, 1991. Refrigerator and mixed media, 91.5 x 50.5 x 24.5 in. (232.4 x 128.3 x 62.2 cm).
Joel Otterson, Coffee Table Museum, 1989. Collection of antique and new coffee pots, coffee cups, saucers, sugar bowls, creamers, cookie platters, redwood burl, steel beams, rubber wheels, candies, cookies, and coffee, 126 x 55 x 51 in. (320 x 139.7 x 129.5 cm).
Joel Otterson, Dead or Alive / Teacart Museum, 1989. Collection of antique and new teapots, teacups, saucers, sugar bowls, creamers, dessert plates, platters, reproduction Queen Anne mahogany tea table, propane tank and burner, whistling tea kettle, laces, trims, candies, cookies, marzipan, and tea, 87 x 76 x 39 in. (221 x 193 x 99.1 cm). Collection of Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven.
Installation view. Refrigerator Heaven by Joel Otterson, 1989. Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Cologne.
Joel Otterson, Compact Disc Stereo Love Seats (Hot Wheels), 1988. Compact disc player with speakers, chair and table pieces, down-filled upholstery, acetate, polyester, rock-n-roll banners, chrome tacks, glass, rubber wheels, copper plumbing pipe and fittings with patina, 7 x 22 x 22 in. (17.8 x 55.9 x 55.9 cm).
Detail. Joel Otterson, Compact Disc Stereo Love Seats (Hot Wheels), 1988. Compact disc player with speakers, chair and table pieces, down-filled upholstery, acetate, polyester, rock-n-roll banners, chrome tacks, glass, rubber wheels, copper plumbing pipe and fittings with patina, 7 x 22 x 22 in. (17.8 x 55.9 x 55.9 cm).
Joel Otterson, My Shoes, 1988. Cast iron, cast iron pipe and fittings, candles, 51 x 27 x 30 in. (129.5 x 68.6 x 76.2 cm).
Detail. Joel Otterson, My Shoes, 1988. Cast iron, cast iron pipe and fittings, candles, 51 x 27 x 30 in. (129.5 x 68.6 x 76.2 cm).
Joel Otterson, The Table, 1987. Various reproduction wood and cast polyester tables, synthetic marble, cast iron manhole cover, glass, rubber, chrome casters, propane tank with flame, copper and bronze plumbing pipe and fittings, 93 x 44.5 x 32 in. (236.2 x 113 x 81.3 cm).
Joel Otterson, International Waters, 1987. PVC plastic piping, enamel paint, mineral waters, 108 x 26 x 17 in. (274.3 x 66 x 43.2 cm).
Joel Otterson, Nuclear Fiction, 1987. Cast iron and cast cement sewer fittings, rubber and stainless steel gaskets, 6 x 25 x 19 in. (15.2 x 63.5 x 48.3 cm).
Joel Otterson, Poison, 1987. Copper, leather, buckles, and perfume, 13.5 x 13 x 5.5 in. (34.3 x 33 x 14 cm).
Joel Otterson, Religious Metal, 1987. Cast iron, rubber, stainless steel, 7 x 22 x 22 in. (17.8 x 55.9 x 55.9 cm).
Installation view. Projects: Joel Otterson, 1987. The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Joel Otterson, Be Everywhere Now, 1984. Nehi Blue Creme soda, logging trophy figurine, copper leafed and painted baseballs and softballs, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, slate, steel cable, 113 x 11.5 x 11.5 in. (287 x 29.2 x 29.2 cm).
Detail. Joel Otterson, Be Everywhere Now, 1984. Nehi Blue Creme soda, logging trophy figurine, copper leafed and painted baseballs and softballs, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, slate, steel cable, 113 x 11.5 x 11.5 in. (287 x 29.2 x 29.2 cm).
Joel Otterson, Perfect Misuse, 1985. Cast trophy figurine, baseballs, wooden and aluminum baseball bats, copper piping, cast concrete and steel plates, 100 x 12 x 12 in. (254 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm).
Joel Otterson, Bat in Space, 1986-1987. Bronze, steel, 89.75 x 9.25 x 9.25 in. (228 x 23.5 x 23.5 cm). Collection of the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. Gift of Margo Leavin.
Joel Otterson, Atomic Fact, 1987. Polished and painted cast aluminum, 75.5 x 9 x 9 in. (191.8 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm).
Installation view. Projects: Joel Otterson, 1987. The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Joel Otterson, Aggressive Representation, 1985. Chromed weight lifting plates, leaded cut crystal, plastic, wood, copper, brass, and polished iron plumbing pipe and fittings, 112 x 13 x 13 in. (284.5 x 33 x 33 cm). Collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Gift of Elizabeth Dee.
Joel Otterson, Scientifiquement Vivant (Scientifically Alive), 1985. Cibachrome photograph, plywood, plexiglass, copper, brass, and bronze plumbing pipe and fittings with patina, 81 x 19 x 15 in. (205.7 x 48.3 x 38.1 cm).
Joel Otterson, Designer Nucleic Acid, 1986. Porsche mag wheel rim, cast bronze, copper, brass, 99 x 16 x 16 in. (251.5 x 40.6 x 40.6 cm).
Joel Otterson, Artificial Intelligent, 1986. Reproduction Biedermeier side table, copper, brass, and bronze plumbing pipe and fittings with patina, 72 x 18 x 12 in. (182.9 x 45.7 x 30.5 cm).
Joel Otterson, Devil/Jesus, 1986. Mahogany reproduction Queen Anne tea table, copper, brass, and bronze plumbing pipe and fittings, 71 x 38 x 18 in. (180.3 x 96.5 x 45.7 cm).
Joel Otterson, Emotional Slaughter, 1987. Oriental-style tea tray, silver-plated serving tray, copper and plastic plumbing pipe and fittings, 78 x 30 x 23.5 in. (198.1 x 76.2 x 59.7 cm).
Joel Otterson, Be-Where Now, 1984. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, gold, cement, steel, macraméd steel cable, 120 x 10 x 10 in. (304.8 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm).
Joel Otterson, Decoration of Nature I, 1983. Sticks, stones, glass, ceramic, cement, and macraméd bronze cable, 108 x 25 x 5 in. (274.3 x 63.5 x 12.7 cm).
