Artist Profile

Since the late 1970s, Ries Niemi has been working with metal -- welding, fabricating, machining, forging, and shaping it.  In 1977, Niemi was selected to be on one of the first public art design teams in the country to work on the Creston Nelson Substation for City Light in Seattle.  The artist’s works vary from strictly sculptural pieces to works that are very functional including benches, fences, railings, and gates.  Niemi’s public artworks always incorporate inspiration, often text or images, gathered from the specific site or neighborhood.   In addition to the Literate Fence for the Los Angeles Central Library, Niemi’s work can be found at the Metro Gold Line Del Mar Station in Pasadena and the Alma Almaden neighborhood in San Jose.  The artist lives and works in Edison, Washington where he maintains a large studio and fabricates most of his own work.