Desk (Silver Leaf Desk)

Desk (Silver Leaf Desk)
Wendell Castle
1967
Materials
Mahogany, cherry, plywood, gesso, and silver leaf
Size
40 x 89 1/2 x 66 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of SC Johnson in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of RAM’s Wustum Museum
About the artwork.
Over four decades, Wendell Castle created unique sculptures and furniture. Castle’s work became so significant within the craft field that he was ultimately known as the father of the American Studio Furniture Movement. In 1963, he pioneered the usage of stack lamination—layering thin layers of wood together with adhesive to create one piece that can be sculpted. Castle used the technique to create imaginative and complex works, such as this silver leaf desk, many with organic qualities.