Fixed in Motion: Sculpture and Prints of Albert Paley

Integral to understanding Albert Paley’s extensive body of work is the paradox of metal sculpture: metal is a solid, unmoving material in its natural state; however, metal is also an impressionable material that suggests movement, gesture, and transformation. When combined with glass forms, the resulting sculptures reveal new paradoxes.

Paley began his career as a successful goldsmith but embarked on a new journey in 1973 after winning the Smithsonian Institution’s national design competition. This led to the Renwick Gallery commission of Portal Gates, his first large-scale fabrication. This project inspired Paley’s exploration of monumental forging and fabricating. Today, he is regarded as one of the most influential metalsmiths in the world.

In 1998, Paley was invited to Pilchuck Glass School for the Summer Artist in Residence Program led by glass artist Dante Marioni. This program, which seeks out non-glass artists to experience working with the medium, ultimately spurred Paley’s continued exploration of glass, collaborating with artists such as Martin Blank, John Lewis, and William Carlson.

Unlike his commissioned sculptures, Paley does not start with sketches and maquettes for his glass and steel works. Instead, the environment, the plasticity of the molten materials, and the diversity of processes inform the outcome of the glass forms and therefore the finished sculptures.

This two-gallery exhibition is the culmination of nearly 30 years of experimenting with and exploring glass and steel sculptures–-many of which have not been shown before. Featured alongside these works are prints and drawings, which echo the formal and gestural qualities found throughout Paley’s work.

This exhibition is curated by Brit Micho, Curator of Exhibitions, and is supported by the Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation.