Gregory Kmieciak

Lives and works in Providence, RI, USA

Artist statement

I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shaped by a blue-collar, middle-class upbringing that instilled in me a deep respect for labor, materials, and the everyday object. This background has profoundly influenced both my aesthetic and my approach to making—grounding my practice in function, craftsmanship, and an appreciation for the subtle narratives embedded in material culture. I earned my BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, concentrating in Sculpture and Jewelry/Metalsmithing. It was there that I began to explore the tactile and conceptual potential of metal, drawn to its duality—rigid yet malleable, industrial yet intimate. After graduation, I spent a decade working in the furniture industry, specializing in restoration and fabrication. This period honed my technical skills and deepened my understanding of historical construction methods, material patina, and the emotional resonance of the worn and repaired. Currently, I am pursuing an MFA in Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. My work sits at the intersection of art, craft, and utility—investigating how furniture can hold memory, reflect identity, and act as a site for both personal and cultural storytelling. I approach each piece as a conversation between hand, material, and history—rooted in tradition but open to reinterpretation. Through metal, wood, and found objects, I aim to bridge the worlds I come from with the one I’m helping to shape—crafting objects that are as thoughtful as they...

Artwork