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Lecture and Slideshow on James Castle
May 11 , 2006

SAIC student and researcher Vanessa Smith was granted special access to the estate of James Castle. From rural Garden Valley, Idaho, James Castle (1900-1977) was a prolific creator of drawings, assemblages and books despite his lack of ability to hear, speak, read or write. With his peculiar media of homemade inks (made from soot, saliva and, occasionally, ground-up colored paper), string and found papers, Castle recorded and animated his world through a blend of imaginary and perceptual imagery.

Smith will be presenting a slideshow and lecture on Castle’s remarkable art on Thursday, May 11 at 6:00 pm.

Vanessa Smith's research was supported by a Roads Scholarship for Research and Travel, awarded by the Integrated Visions: 20th Century Art Environments art history class of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Image courtesy Vanessa Smith