James Castle: Perspectives

James Castle (1899-1977), born in Garden Valley, Idaho, is internationally celebrated for his prolific, lifelong artistic practice and contributions as a Deaf artist.  His art provides a unique visual record of seven decades of life in rural Idaho.  Castle’s artistry has fascinated a networked community of scholars who have largely depended upon dated accounts from family and friends to help tell his story.  The chronicle and impact of Castle’s life experiences continue to be shaped by the research of educators, Deaf culture scholars, filmmakers, archivists, and art historians.

Those who are captivated by the art and life of James Castle tend to develop a sense of ownership over these narratives. As a result, multiple perspectives exist about Castle’s education, art training, artistic inspirations, identity, and foundational experiences.  Featuring Boise Art Museum’s Permanent Collection of artworks by James Castle, this exhibition explores the role of art in historic Deaf education, James Castle’s formative experiences at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind (1910-1915), and the Deaf perspectives represented in his artwork.

Organized by the Boise Art Museum  |  Guest Curator Kathleen Keys, PhD

Boise Art Museum’s community collaborators include BAM’s Deaf Advisory Working Group (DAWG), who have been sharing their lived experiences of Deaf culture and advising on ways to welcome the Deaf community.

Special thanks to BAM’s DAWG, Steven Snow, Mikkel Nelson, Khanh Dang, Andrea Wachowski,
and ASL Deaf Talent Tara Adams

Supported in part by Boise State School of the Arts, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and Charles Redd Center for Western Studies

Image: James Castle, Untitled, n.d., charcoal, soot on cardboard, 6.75″ x 13″, Gift of Boise Cascade Corporation, Boise Art Museum Permanent Collection.