Albert Paley (born 1944) is an American modernist metal sculptor.Initially starting out as a jeweler, Paley has become one of the most distinguished and influential metalsmiths in the world.Albert Paley earned B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees at Tyler School of Art and Temple University respectively.Paley was a highly successful jewelry artist in 1974 when he won the Renwick Gallery’s national design competition and was awarded the commission to design decorative metalwork doors for the gallery shop.His Portal Gates structure opened the door to a new career for Paley, leading to numerous commissions and world renown for his monumental architectural ironwork and sculpture.

Within each of his works, three foundational elements stay true: the natural environment, the built environment, and the human presence.For Paley, the physicality and the artistry of working in metals come together as a defining aesthetic.“Through the creative process I have developed a personal visual vocabulary fundamentally based in symbolism and metaphor which is implicit in my work,” Paley shares.“With forged iron, I deal with plasticity. I’m dealing with vulnerability. I have no idea of what I’m capable of doing. It’s only through the process and experience that I understand what my possibilities are and what my limitations are.”More of Albert Paley’s impressive sculptures can be found at https://www.albertpaley.com/