Christopher Castle
Recently on show:
Silk Road House in Berkeley presented the exhibit:
THE WORLD PATTERN: ETCHINGS BY CHRISTOPHER CASTLE
The exhibit included twelve patterns related to the Silk Road. All works are available for purchase. The price list is available by emailing castle.art@sbcglobal.net.
On Sunday April 11th
Christopher gave a talk on the sources of his art as it relates to the Silk Road and discussed the broad array of tracks he has taken from his studies of the lost knowledge embedded in neolithic and bronze age European sites, architecture and art, through a contemporary art education, and exploration of patterns in nature, to a global synaesthetic consciousness and ecological world view.
Silk Road House, 1944 University Avenue, Berkeley
NEWS
from Christopher Castle
Recent exhibit at Novartis in Emeryville:
Alhambra Creek Watershed Mural
Over the months of May, June and July 2009 Christopher worked with the students from the Environmental Studies Academy, Martinez, California painting a mural entitled John Muir greets the returning animals at a site in Martinez. Preparation of the mural was done in the classroom over several months with the students working on gathering images of local flora and fauna and developing some of the painting skills needed.
Very appropriately in Martinez which was the home town of the great early environmentalist John Muir, the Environmental Academy educates teenagers as future stewards of the land. Under the inspired leadership of founder and director Rona Zollinger the students learn about sustainability and restoration in their watershed of Alhambra Creek.
The mural has had a tremendously supportive response from the local community with numerous comments and three front page articles in the local newspaper. The John Muir Trust is interested in another mural to be painted on a wall close to the John Muir House.
Images of the mural can be seen on the Public Art pages. (click here) b
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website copyright © 2012 Christopher Castle. All rights reserved.
New commissioned work:
In early 2010 the Richmond Police Activities League. (RPAL) commissioned two paintings, portraits of the founders of RPAL The paintings were unveiled at RPAL’s annual luncheon on March 18th 2010.
Hal Holt
A portrait of Hal Holt who was instrumental in the set-up of the center. The painting is on the wall of RPAL’s huge gymnasium which is dedicated as a memorial to Mr. Holt.
(Acrylic mural. 8ft x 14ft.)
Sy Zell
A second portrait was commissioned by RPAL and completed in time for unveiling at their March 18th fund-raising luncheon.
Sy Zell was a major founder of RPAL. The portrait will be displayed in the main entrance lobby
September and October 2010. I spent 6 weeks in Romania at the invitation of Michael Baron de Styrcea. I will soon be posting a full account of this extraordinary experience. For now, this image is an evocation of some of the layers of visual inspiration that I encountered.
January to May 2011. After my first visit I was asked to create icons, St. Paraskeva and The Old Testament Trinity, for the two village churches of Valeni and Moreni, in Co. Neamt, Moldavia.
June and July 2011. I returned to Romania with the two icons to attend their installation and blessing ceremony.
March 2012. I have completed a third icon also for Romania, The Annunciation.
You can view the first two here:
http://issuu.com/limanc/docs/castleicons
• Coming soon: an account of my residency •
British Museum
I just searched the British Museum’s collection and found the drawing that they purchased in 1980.
You can see it at
ARTIST”S RESIDENCY in ROMANIA
May 31st 2012
John Muir mural commission 2012
I have been asked to lead the creation of a new public art work in Martinez, California. I am working with student artists from the two high schools in the design and execution of a mural based on the life and work of John Muir. The project started with workshops creating the design and developing painting skills. The actual painting begins this week.
Fundraising continues:
We are currently continuing our fund-raising efforts to complete the mural budget. There are several ways donations can be made.
The John Muir Association:
The John Muir Association is also accepting donations that will go specifically to the mural creation.
To make a tax deductible donation through JMA, email jma@johnmuirassociation.org
Or you can call them at (925) 229-3857
You can see their notice about the mural on their website http://johnmuirassociation.org/php/capitalprojects.php
The students and I are very grateful for your support. Thank you.
A news article has just appeared in the Martinez Gazette:
Here is a picture of the site, a freeway retaining wall close to the John Muir National Historical Site.
For pictures of the project so far go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/castle_art/7114520261/in/set-72157629537387332/
I am holding on-going classes in egg tempera painting and gilding. Based around the technique developed by Byzantine iconographers, the processes and concepts involved represent the foundations of Western painting. The poster here is from a recently held course. If you would like to receive news of current and upcoming sessions, please • Contact me!
April 12, 2012
Just completed a new icon, The Transfiguration.
egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel. 20” x 15”.
The 6 month journey through the realms of this archetypal image has been a series of revelations.
JOHN MUIR PORTRAIT
I have just painted this portrait of John Muir
(from a photograph).
acrylic on board. 12.5” x 8.5”.
April 2012.
