November 2008

James Castle Retrospective Opens in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has organized the first comprehensive retrospective of the work of Idaho artist James Castle (1899-1977). The exhibition, which includes over 300 works assembled from 60 public and private collections, explores the wide variety of techniques Castle employed throughout his life, from soot drawings and colored wash pieces to handmade books, assemblages and text works, all of which he made on found materials.

A private opening for this exhibition was held last month. Many Castle family members as well as Boise Art Museum curator Sandy Harthorn attended the red-carpet event. Now open to the public, this exhibition will continue through January 4, 2009, after which it will travel to the Art Institute Chicago and the Berkley Art Museum, California.