Claus Potthoff

Biography:
Claus Potthoff (*1963 in Stuttgart / Germany) has had quite an impressive career.
From his early days studying product and automotive design at the University of Applied Sciences in Pforzheim / Germany (1985-1989), to his extensive work in the automotive industry across various countries, he’s certainly gathered a wealth of experience. His journey has taken him from Germany to the Moscow / Soviet Union (1987), Tokyo / Japan (1994), and Santa Monica / California (2007 2009), allowing him to immerse himself in diverse cultures.
Since 2009, he’s been living in Munich / Germany, where he balanced his role as Director Design Strategy at Audi AG with his passion for photography. His photographic work is known for its diverse content and aesthetics, reflecting his curiosity and desire to explore different perspectives.
From summer 2021 to spring 2024, he was part of the interdisciplinary artist group SUPER+ ATELIERS at Kunstlabor 2 in Munich.
In late 2023, he made a significant life change by resigning from his design position and moving to Beijing / China with his wife, establishing it as his secondary center of life.
Exhibitions & Art Fairs:
2016
BILDschau – Fotoserien von Claus Potthoff, Solo exhibition at SchauRaum im Ackermannbogen in Munich DE;
2018
WHITE | BLUE | AND MORE … Fotografi(k)en von Claus Potthoff, Solo exhibition at SchauRaum im Ackermannbogen in Munich DE;
2023
SPC Photo Awards München, Group exhibition at GALERIE WELTRAUM in Munich DE;
2023
OPEN STUDIOS, Group exhibition at SUPER+ TROPIKA ATELIERHAUS in Munich DE;
2024
ARTMUC – Münchens größtes Kunstfestival Spring art fair at MTC Locations in Munich DE;
2024
MUNICH ART HOUSE, Pop up art fair at THE MALT in Munich-Allach DE;
2024
l’architecture en cinémascope – my unique view on … Solo exhibition at Café Zarah in Beijing CN;
2024
ATAF2024, Group exhibition at AOTU Contemporary Art Space in Beijing CN;
2024
little treasures by Trevisan International Art, Group exhibition at Galleria De Marchi in Bologna IT;
2024
aqua art miami International art fair with Galerie Makowski in Miami F;
2025
Grand Opening Galerie Makowski, Group Exhibition at Galerie Makowski Paris FR.
Statement:
“I first developed this perspective on architecture in 2015 during a visit to Paris.
My goal was to capture a clean view of buildings, isolated from the crowded
urban environment and any dramatic sky, focusing solely on the architecture itself.
By choosing the classic CinemaScope format with an extreme aspect ratio of 2.55:1, and employing exciting perspectives and layouts full of tension, I create my personal vision on architecture.
Arranging two or four images of the same building into a graphical cluster transforms the original appearance into a completely new and fascinating aesthetic abstraction”.