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Education
1973 BArch Science (Physics), University of Waterloo
1977 BArch. Environmental Studies (Pre-Professional Arch.), University of Waterloo
1979 BArch. Architecture, University of Waterloo
1973-1979 Attended Courses in the Fine Arts program at the University of Waterloo
1975-1978 History of Art in 4year Cultural History program(i.e.450BC to Present)
Solo Exhibitions
2018 Art Gallery of Sudbury,” Finding the Space, Finding the Figure
2016 Open Studio, Sudbury
1998 “97/6 Suite - New Work”, Laurentian University
1996 La Galerie du nouvel - ontario center d’artistes, Sudbury
1992 “My People: Recent Works”, Laurentian University Museum and Art Centre, Sudbury
Group Exhibitions
2009 sUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES, Art Gallery of Sudbury : Curated by Mary Sue Rankin
2005 ‘Trip the Switch”, Art Gallery of Sudbury
2001 Off 17 – on the verge, Art Gallery of Sudbury
1999 The Sudbury Basin: Industrial Topographies, Art Gallery of Sudbury
1998 Northern Visions, Art Gallery of Sudbury, Juried Exhibition
1997 Guest Artist -Toronto, suite of Rick Bartolucci M.P.P.
1997 “Sudbury Art Now”, Art Gallery of Sudbury
1992 “Dream Pipe de Reves”, Vacant Commercial Space, Sudbury
(Dennis Castellan, Ray Laporte, Luc Robert, Doug Donley)
1991 “Visual Arts of Sudbury - Sudbury Artists Retrospective”, Laurentian University Museum and Art Centre, Sudbury
1990 “Figure Drawings”, Carrefour Francophone, Sudbury
1988 “Five Artists”, V.I.P. Lounge, Work Junior Olympics, Laurentian University, (Dennis Castellan, Ray Laporte, David Blake, Bruno Cavallo, Gail Balfe)
1987 “Figure Drawings”, The Attic Sudbury (LUMAC)
“Figure Drawings”, Le Centre des Jeunes, Sudbury
Grants
1999 Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance Grant
1998 Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance Grant
1992 Ontario Arts Council, Exhibition Assistance Grant
Reviews
2017 Sudbury Living Magazine
1999 Art and the Cityscape”,(Laurence Steven), Highgrader Magazine, Summer 1999
1998 “Northern Visions Features Many Fine Works, Sudbury Star (Rob O’Flannagan)
1996 Sudbury Star (Rob O’Flannagan)
1992 “Superstack surveyed”, Sudbury Star (Carolyn Fouriezos)
1992 “Castellan Exhibit has ‘poetic base’”, Sudbury Star (Chris Grant)
1989 “Drawing Show Well Attended”, Sudbury Star (David Paton)
Exhibition Catalogues
The Sudbury Basin: Industrial Topographies (1999) , Art Gallery of Sudbury
Commercial Gallery
Dennis was represented, in the past, by the Joan Ferneyhough Gallery, North Bay
Other
§ One of three artists short listed as a finalist for the Spanish War Memorial, Ottawa, Capital Hill (2001).An invited international competition for a memorial commemorating Canadians who fought for Spain in the Spanish war of 1939.
§ Paintings (3) hanging in the Superior Court of Justice (Sudbury)
§ Jury member on various juried art programs
§ Paintings in numerous private and corporate collections
§ Public Lectures given at Solo Exhibitions
§ Board Member at LUMAC(Laurentian University Museum and Arts Centre),predecessor to the Art Gallery of Sudbury
§ Founding Board Member of Art Gallery of Sudbury
About
“finding the figure, finding the space.
space finds the figure, the figure finds the space.”
[ the what]
relationships
between the figures,
between the spatial field and the figure(s),
in a state of equivalence; figure and spatial field are equally important and essential both individually and together; it is a both/and relationship
words like ‘open’, ‘in’, ‘around’, ‘between’ and compositional layering are fundamental notions.
[ the conceptual, the practical ]
‘finding the figure and finding the space’ is both a conceptual and operative statement. “finding” has been, a consistent and prevailing theme in my work and relies on the suggestive power of both ‘figuration’ and ‘pictorial space’.
‘finding’ comes from an intentionally inquisitive process that begins either with the figure(s), which in turn generates a spatial field or, by first creating a spatial field, and then, allowing the figures to ‘find’ a place in that space. And, therein lies the makings of the iterative back and forth process of ‘finding’ where line/form/figure(s) and the spatial field together create an emotionally charged image.
The ‘figure’, for me, is a vehicle - something that is in a relationship with the spatial field. The ‘figure,’ as a vehicle, can be the human figure, an object or building(s)/structure(s) in a spatial field that ranges from representational to non-representational space. Exploring these relationships exposes pictorial opportunity.
[the universal]
‘relations between’ things, places and people is universal.
the pictorial image is ultimately conveyed by the relationship of figure and spatial field.
……………….………… …………my work is about capturing some of those different moments
