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WELCOME to the ASAA gallery of John Castle. A varied career in Europe eventually saw John immigrate to Australia in 1969 where art, drama, education and the retail industry kept him active. He now continues with his art via commissions and a focus on aviation art. Select examples of John's artwork from the list at left, below. |
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ARTIST PROFILE: JOHN A. CASTLE AdvDipT ASAA
Born in Surrey, England in 1938, John's main interests at school were art and drama, and so he started his career in a bank in the City of London!! He spent two years National Service in the Royal Air Force and then several years in the printing trade. After meeting his future wife, he spent a year in Germany, washing cars and driving a private ambulance whilst studying to learn the language. Eventually he partnered his brother-in-law in managing two petrol stations in Dusseldorf for five years, before moving to Australia. He had always had an interest in aviation as his father had flown in Lancaster bombers during World War II, and this interest led to the "portraits" of planes becoming a major part of his work. His commissions have included paintings for the Boston and Beaufighter Association of Queensland, for a bookcover for the history of 625 squadron RAF, and for the officers mess of 31 Sqdn RAF. His training as an artist commenced at school under the guidance of C. Riley, R.A., and part time at the Wimbledon School of Art. His artistic talents were furthered by the fifteen years he spent designing and manufacturing scenery, make-up and costumes for the many student productions he directed or produced. On arrival in Queensland, he spent a year studying graphite drawing, watercolour and acrylic painting at the Brin Jones School of Fine Art. John's first major exhibition took place at the opening of the new Southport Picture Framing Gallery in 1998. After this he was commissioned to do three paintings for the new boardroom of the Bayview Harbour Yacht Squadron. His works feature in private collections in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland and the U.K. John Castle - August, 2006 |
| ©2009 Australian Society Of Aviation Artists Inc. Material on this website cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the Society. Copyright is held in all works of art, photography and other media by the respective artists. |
John, his wife Hannelore and their small son arrived in Australia in 1969 and, having fallen in love with their new country, became naturalised a few years later. In Australia he worked as a sales manager in the retail industry before studying to become a teacher/actor. He taught drama, German and English at Nuriootpa High School in the Barossa Valley, until the family moved to Queensland in 1989.