| This thesis examines the art furniture of Wendell Castle produced from 1963 to 1980 and proposes that these pieces represent the beginning of the Studio Craft movement for woodworking.; The first chapter provides an overview of the genesis of the Craft Revival and Studio Craft movements in the United States through four inter-related factors in post-World War II America: design, industry, culture, and the economy.; In the second chapter, the education and early career of Castle are examined in order to place the organic stack laminations in the artist's career. Both Castle's technique and organic designs are addressed, since these pieces are a radical departure from traditional handcrafted furniture design.; The third chapter focuses on six of the most significant pieces from this period and how they illustrate Castle's intentions to challenge his craft in order to create a new genre that is placed between art and craft. |
