Wendell Castle

Wendell Castle (2018–1932) was an American designer and sculptor who transformed furniture into art. Based in Rochester, New York, he pioneered the stack-lamination technique, carving continuous organic forms that merged sculpture and function. His practice evolved from biomorphic wood pieces in the 1960s to vibrant fiberglass works and, later, digitally carved hybrids that combined CNC technology with handcraft. Over five decades, Castle embodied the essence of the American Studio Furniture movement through expressive form, material mastery, and constant reinvention. His work is held in MoMA, The Met, the Smithsonian, and the Art Institute of Chicago, marking him as a defining figure of 20th-century design.