Gallery

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.

The Ark of the Covenant/War Chest — 1984

American Walnut, Cherry
20" H x 24" W x 16" D

The Preacher

Unfinished Sculpture in Multiple Parts