From the Publisher. American studio furniture icon Wendell Castle is one of the most important, influential and celebrated designers of the 20th and 21st centuries. For more than 50 years, he has consistently pioneered new territory in design and beyond. His visionary constructions and distinctive stacked-laminate woodworking process cross the boundaries between sculpture, design and craft. Published on the occasion of Castle’s retrospective exhibition at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, this publication is the first in 20 years devoted to the designer’s work. The book focuses on Castle’s exceptional early works in wood and fiberglass, which transformed the way we look at furniture and its making. These highly original works have influenced generations of furniture makers, designers, artists, sculptors, collectors and design enthusiasts. Renowned writer Alastair Gordon lucidly tells the exciting story of Castle’s impact and innovations through the defining works of his career. The text is accompanied by hundreds of drawings, press clippings and never-before-seen images of Castle, his workspace and process. Beautifully designed by the award-winning Pandiscio Co. and incorporating materials from Castle’s personal archives, this book is certain to be the definitive study of one of the most significant furniture designers working in the world today and one of America’s true cultural treasures.