Paley was a highly successful jeweler in 1974 when he entered the Renwick Gallery's national competition to design decorative doors for its shop. Little did he know how winning the competition would transform his career. His Portal Gates instantly became an icon for the museum and led to numerous commissions, propelling his practice toward monumental architectural ironwork. Paley's metalwork pays homage to European art nouveau and American abstract expressionism.

Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery, 2019