Gallery
A selection of works by John Casey
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
(Posthumously) by Rebecca Casey
Whether through sculpting wood or teaching philosophy, reaching the emotions and the soul of other people has been John Casey’s life work. He often explained that his search for beauty in the wood, or in a student’s mind, was about chipping away to let in the light.
In the beginning of his woodworking career, he carved linen-fold church paneling, communion rails. and built circular staircases. Later, he stopped doing that kind of work and wanted to try, along with Wendell Castle (a well-known art furniture artist), to “blur the distinction between art and craft.” He said, “I’ve been ignoring distinctions for a long time. And now I’ve decided to make it painfully obvious that I’m ignoring them.”
He asked questions like, “Why can’t furniture evoke emotions like sadness or joy?” And, “Why can’t it be fun or make statements about the state of things?”
Of Norman Jean from his “Vessel” series, John Casey said, “This is a piece of theatre. It’s a one act play without words. Based on a real-life street cross-dresser who dressed like Marilyn Monroe, it represents a melding of art and craft. She/he celebrates diversity while evoking such emotions as wonder, humor, and even shock. An intimation of the hidden value and complexity of even the oddest among us.”
In The Ark of the Covenant/War Chest, we see figures trying to get out of the vortex that war creates — a Pandora’s Box of war horror.
If he reached the emotions and the soul of even one person, then his journey was a successful one.
Norman Jean
Liquor Cabinet (Qua Cordial Cellarette)
Polychromed Bass Wood (Cast Iron Base)
71″ H x 30″ W x 25″ D
Norman Jean
Liquor Cabinet (Qua Cordial Cellarette)
Polychromed Bass Wood (Cast Iron Base)
71″ H x 30″ W x 25″ D
The Ark of the Covenant/War Chest — 1984
American Walnut, Cherry
20″ H x 24″ W x 16″ D
No Exit — 1984
War Chest (originally called Ark of the Covenant)
American Walnut, Cherry
20″ H x 24″ W x 16″ D
The Ark of the Covenant
/War Chest Panel Series — 1985
Panels for Chest
American Walnut, Cherry
(4) 15” H x 11” W
(2) 10” H x 10” W
No Exit Panel Series — 1985
Panels for Chest
American Walnut, Cherry
(4) 15” H x 11” W
(2) 10” H x 10” W
The Preacher
Unfinished Sculpture in Multiple Parts
The Preacher
Unfinished Sculpture in Multiple Parts
Tinker Toy Dining Set
Life Size Dining Table & Chairs
Table: 29-1/2” W x 30” H
Chairs: 14-3/4” W x 30” H
Click on image to enlarge
Conan Table – 1984
Dining Table
29” H x 49” L x 28”
Click on image to enlarge
Cha-No-Yu Table – 1984
Tea Ceremony Table
Mahogany, Osage Orange, and Vermillion
19-3/4” H x 28-1/2” W x 17” D
Click on image to enlarge
Tinker Toy Dining Set
Life Size Dining Table & Chairs
Table: 29-1/2” W x 30” H
Chairs: 14-3/4” W x 30” H
Click on image to enlarge
Conan Table – 1984
Dining Table
29” H x 49” L x 28”
Click on image to enlarge
Cha-No-Yu Table – 1984
Tea Ceremony Table
Mahogany, Osage Orange, and Vermillion
19-3/4” H x 28-1/2” W x 17” D
Click on image to enlarge
Japanese Style Inlaid Panel
Wall Panel
33-1/2” H x 16-1/2” W x 1/2” D
Click on image to enlarge
Japanese Style Inlaid Panel
Wall Panel
33-1/2” H x 16-1/2” W x 1/2” D
Click on image to enlarge
Sola – 1984
Mirror
Walnut, Vermillion, Osage Orange
31” H x 16” W x 1 1/2” D
Click on image to enlarge
Sola – 1984
Mirror
Walnut, Vermillion, Osage Orange
31” H x 16” W x 1 1/2” D
Click on image to enlarge
Mountain Stream – 1985
2 Trays
Spalted Cherry, Maple, Rosewood, Vermillion
1-1/2” D x 21-1/2” L x 11-1/2” W
Click on image to enlarge
Icarus
description
Resin
5-1/2″ H x 21″ W
Click on image to enlarge
Mountain Stream – 1985
2 Trays
Spalted Cherry, Maple, Rosewood, Vermillion
1-1/2” D x 21-1/2” L x 11-1/2” W
Click on image to enlarge
Mad Max Warrior
Model
Wood and Resin
10-1/2” H x 6-3/4” W x 4” D
Click on image to enlarge
Heart
Wood Carving
9” H x 5” W
Click on image to enlarge
Windsor Chair
“Tired of traditional joinery? John Casey’s ‘Cut and Fold Windsor’ may be the answer. The chair shared best of show honors at the ‘Crafts: National’ competition at Buffalo State College, Buffalo, N.Y.” —Fine WoodWorking, March/April 1986
Click on image to enlarge
Ode to Phyllis Schlafly – 1984
Egg Sculpture
Cherry Ash, Rosewood, Redwood, Vermillion
Click on image to enlarge
The Thinking Man
Iron Sculpture
7-1/2” H x 5-1/2” W
Click on image to enlarge
Will Rogers ‘35 – 1966
Watercolor Portrait from Memory
6” x 6”
Click on image to enlarge
Mad Max Warrior
Model
Wood and Resin
10-1/2” H x 6-3/4” W x 4” D
Click on image to enlarge
Heart
Wood Carving
9” H x 5” W
Click on image to enlarge
Windsor Chair
“Tired of traditional joinery? John Casey’s ‘Cut and Fold Windsor’ may the answer. The chair shared best of show honors at the ‘Crafts: National’ competition at Buffalo State College, Buffalo, N.Y.” —Fine WoodWorking, March/April 1986
Click on image to enlarge
Ode to Phyllis Schlafly – 1984
Egg Sculpture
Cherry Ash, Rosewood, Redwood, Vermillion
Click on image to enlarge
The Thinking Man
Iron Sculpture
7-1/2” H x 5-1/2” W
Click on image to enlarge
Will Rogers ‘35 – 1966
Watercolor Portrait from Memory
6” x 6”
Click on image to enlarge
