Designer Wendell Castle (Wendell Castle) breaks records in popularity among American collectors. And, like any happy person, he does what he loves. Born in Kansas on November 6, 1932. He graduated from the University of Kansas. In the 1960s, he taught sculpture at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Winner of many American awards. Among the most famous works are Crescent Rocker Chair (1975), Black Widow (2007), Concrete Chairs (2010). Works are in the collections of all major US museums. He is called the grandfather of "art furniture." It was he who was the first in the United States to think of counting chairs and tables as sculptures, to exhibit and sell them as works of art. He is over 80, but it means nothing. The designer is full of strength, apparently the last twenty years do not change.

Rocking chair Hell Raiser. 2010. Bog ash. Friedman Benda. Pinkie floor lamp 2009. R 20th Century. A door. 1977. Maple, painted under mahogany, frosted glass. R 20th Century. Console table Which Side Up. 2008. Polychrome fiberglass. Friedman Benda.

He settled long ago in Scottsville on the outskirts of Rochester (New York), and his subjects are touring all major exhibitions of collection design from Miami to Basel, from New York to Tokyo. About half a century, he not only designs, but also observes the life of the industry, changing tastes. "My clients were people who were in search of their individual style, educated and curious."

In fact, his career began in 1964, when Castle was invited to participate in the Milan Design Triennial. He brought to Italy Music Rack - a beautiful wooden music stand for music. Having received excellent reviews in the press and fame among the interested public, Castle released a series of 12 copies. “Music Rack sold very well for $ 300,” he recalls. “Now two lecterns are in museum collections, and one more recently was resold at auction for $ 250,000.” A year later, in 1965, his first solo exhibition was held in New York. In the late 1960s, Castle began to make plastic objects, but they were not successful. And in 1980 he opened his own school in Rochester. “I do not consider my work as part of the American tradition, neither designer nor handicraft. I make sculptures on which to sit. ” Indeed, Castle's things are remembered at first sight, they have a verified form and always perfect execution.

Castle did a lot of wooden furniture. “Usually, designers take something out of wood, if they like the texture of the material, I always thought about how wood can convey the shape I need.” His sculpture chairs sell two galleries: Friedman Benda and R 20th Century are reputable players in the market. “In the 80–90s, I acted like this: I gave the item for sale, but did not allow it to be in the gallery for too long if it“ hung ”, took it and then, after some time, put it twice as expensive” In 1969, in the Lee Nordness Gallery, an exhibition of Castle Forms of Sculptural Furniture was held: eight cheerful plastic objects with the names of pop and tv stars - Rachel, Pinky, Osborn, and so on. After half a century, some of them were re-released in fashionable acid colors and have already bypassed the world press.

Triad armchair. Glass fiber, silver foil (there is an option in gold). 2006 Coffee table Osborne. 2008. Polychrome fiberglass. Friedman Benda. Armchair for two. Tree. 1967. Bedside table-bedside table. Pink tree. 1989. Sculpture Above Within Beyond. Bronze. Friedman Benda Gallery. 2015 Molar coffee table. 1969/2007. Circulation: 25 copies. R 20th Century. Molar chair, plastic. 1960-1969. Child seat Molar. Plastic. 1970. Armchair Abilene. 2008

In 2016, the New York-based Museum of Art and Design opened the exhibition Wendell Castle Remastered, representing the creations of the famous American designer Wendell Castle. This exposition is a peculiar timeline focused on the work of a talented furniture developer. Estimate on the works of Castle reach tens of thousands of dollars. So it is profitable and pleasant to live a long time as a professional in the USA.