James Castle 1900-1977

in good condition (work was not examined out of frame)
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Born deaf and mute, Castle spent his entire life in rural Idaho, where his parents owned two farms.  While his family tried to teach him to read and write as a child, he refused, choosing instead to communicate with his world through art.  He drew incessantly.  While at first his family tried to stop his obsession in favor of more practical lessons, they eventually gave up and encouraged him, understanding his talent and his need to express himself in this unique way.   He continued working his entire life and produced a significant body of work, all from found materials:  homemade inks (made from soot, saliva and, occasionally, ground-up colored paper), string and found papers.  The rich world he conveyed ranged from surreal figurals and landscapes with houses to geometric grid patterns.