artisan direct ~ Joseph Castle

For over twenty years, Joseph Castle has been designing sculptures which have found their rightful homes in parks, foundations and private residences. His inspirations are the human form and organic shapes. His sculptures, which are cast in bronze, can be reduced or enlarged to meet the needs of his clients.

The Relationship Series is a study of the examination of pushing the contrast between dynamic energy and reflective contemplation, and the nature in which they are defined is the basis of my work. With minimal line, outside influences are removed and the forum for testing shape and the interconnectedness of inner spaces is explored. My sculptures are kept purposefully simple, stripped of detail; and they require exact attention to proportion. The sculptures are sensitive to the slightest alteration. This invites exploration from many angles moreover, mimicking the juxtaposition of individual serenity and collective activity.

In The Hero’s Journey, one must shed the past and declare a personal vision. The analogy of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly exemplifies this metamorphosis: die and be resurrected. Bones are the residue of death. I assemble them in new ways, reconfiguring their original purpose and creating a primordial archetypal narrative, to illustrate steps along the journey of the hero.

The Lark Ascending, inspired by the symphony The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams, symbolizes the unification of the earth (the known) and heaven (aspirations). Different viewing angles provide a viewer for with new forms of contemplation. The lark, having the rare distinction of being able to sing both in flight and on the ground, is thought to be an emblem of glad tidings, a messenger from Heaven to Earth, inspired by the joys of being alive.

Selected One Person Shows

    1999
  • Barnstone Studio, Allentown, Pennsylvania
    1998
  • One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    1995
  • Medici Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Selected Group Shows

    2007
  • Stewart Gallery, Boise, Idaho
    2006
  • Sun Valley Center for the Arts, Hailey, Idaho
  • 19th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Lawrence, Kansas (2006-7)
    2005
  • Tapestry Gallery, Sun Valley, Idaho
    2004
  • Absolute Gallery, Pasadena, California. (Featured Artist)
  • William Travers Gallery, Seattle, Washington
  • Tapestry Gallery, Sun Valley, Idaho
    2003
  • Robert Nightingale Gallery, Taos, New Mexico. (Featured Artist)
    2002
  • Anne Reed Gallery, Ketchum, Idaho
  • 4th Annual Sculpture Walk, Bemidji, Minnesota
  • New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, California
    2001
  • 14th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Lawrence, Kansas (2001-02)
    2000
  • University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
    1991
  • Sculpture at the Park, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Public Art

    2007
  • City of Bellingham, Washington - Big Rock Garden Park, Outdoor sculpture Exhibit
  • City Avenues Sculpture Exhibition, Wenatchee, Washington
    2006
  • 1st Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, North Charleston, South Carolina
  • City Avenues Sculpture Exhibition, Wenatchee, Washington
  • Saratoga Inn, Saratoga, New York
    2004
  • City of Bellingham, Washington - Big Rock Garden Park, Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit
    2003
  • Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Denver Cardiological Center, Denver, Colorado
    2002
  • City of Emeryville, California - Commissioned Art Finalist
  • 4th Annual Sculpture Exhibit, City of Bemidji, Minnesota
    1992
  • Commissioned sculpture by Cities Library, City of Redlands, California
    1991
  • Sculpture at the Park, Manitou Springs, Colorado
Artisan Direct, a division of the Artisan Gallery. 82 Callingham Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. Telephone 585-586-3535, Fax 585-586-8555, e-mail: artisan dash direct at the dash artisan dash gallery dot com