Wendell Castle’s fifth solo exhibition, “Embracing Upheaval,” is currently on view Friedman Benda gallery in New York. The show includes two series by the designer, “Block” and “Free Form.” The former includes references to literature, while the latter is inspired by music. Both bodies of work exemplify Castle’s exploration and experimentation with materials and furniture making techniques used throughout his career.
Castle is recognized for creating pieces that exist between sculpture and design. One work on view, Dante’s Heaven is mesmerizing. It was engineered to sustain the elements of the outdoors with a hole carved into the seat to keep for rain from accumulating, so as not to turn in to a bird bath, as the designer described during a preview in June.

Courtesy of Friedman Benda and Wendell Castle. Photography by Dan Kukla
Castle’s career spans more than six decades, honored by many awards, and his work collected by dozens of museums. “Embracing Upheaval” is on view through August 11.