Kate Castelli (b. 1986) is an artist living and working in Somerville, Massachusetts, United States. She is currently an associate professor and department chair of the Illustration and Visual Narratives program at Lesley Art and Design (LA+D) in Cambridge, MA. When not making, teaching, or thinking about art, Castelli can be found happily wandering the city. She is rarely without a sketchbook, frequently haunts used bookstores, and is hopelessly addicted to coffee.
Castelli has worked with clients, such as Soho House, Penguin Books, Sony Music, and The Sketchbook Project. She was named one of SMFA’s Traveling Fellows in 2020 and is a 2023 recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Pandemic Recovery Grant.
Artist Statement
The pandemic shutdown and my fibromyalgia diagnosis forced me to pivot my studio practice to one that was contained and sustainable in my domestic workspace. I began to focus on mixed media collage that used ephemera, found materials, and my old letterpress prints. The longer lockdown restrictions went on, the more I found my subject matter explored the parallel themes of urban landscapes and the architecture of interior spaces. Windows, doorways, and edifices dominated my compositions as I constantly negotiated living in isolation in the city. Daily neighborhood walks were my salvation and inspiration.The monochromatic color palette was equal parts a result of my source material and my mood. The limited colors I was drawn to were saturated and intense, but used sparingly. I was ultimately interested in what happened at the edges and intersections of my compositions.This series was completed between March 2020 and March 2022.
Instagram: @katecastelli
Personal website
images of work
