![Michael Kieley Avant Reading Chair](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201388/IMG_1039_2053315259.jpeg 1280w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201388/IMG_1039_eb089b3ad2.jpeg 725w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201388/IMG_1039_df8686b8af.jpeg 320w)
Avant Reading Chair
African Mahogany and Upholstery / 2016 29×27×32African Mahogany contemporary chair.
![M Kportrait Large Version 2](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201378/MKportraitLarge-Version-2_341207b1f1.jpg 560w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201378/MKportraitLarge-Version-2_d79ff68027.jpg 280w)
- About
Michael Kieley grew up in Southern California and started building furniture with his father at age 7. Making things has been a lifelong passion. He loved to make art, even when a couple of teachers told him he was a lousy artist. A tipping point in his life was the five years he spent at the experimental architecture school, SCI-arc in the late 70s. The school was a bit wild, highly open to new ideas, and focused on project-based learning — in a sense the Black Mountain College of its day. With the foundation, and degrees in Sculpture and Psychology, MK started to teach as soon as he received his B‑arch degree, initially focused on Bauhaus pedagogy, with rigorous study of form and composition. Later he created and taught a course called Visual Thinking: Art and Innovation at Loyola Marymount University. Making objects was of continual importance, and his portfolio includes more than four hundred pieces of furniture, some focused on functions, others on beauty being the only function. MK now lives in Joshua Tree, CA, and is in start-up mode on a non-profit mentoring program in studio furniture.
- Region
- Morongo valley, CA
- Website
- mkieley.com
- Media
- Wood, metal, plastics
- Professional Status
- Maker / arts educator & mentor
- Status
- Member until Jul 4, 2024
Portfolio
![Michael Kieley Audio Video Cabinet in Prussian Blue Veneer](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201381/IMG_6299_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201381/IMG_6299_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Audio Video Cabinet in Prussian Blue Veneer](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201381/IMG_6299_43899247e8.jpeg)
Audio Video Cabinet in Prussian Blue Veneer
Gloss Laminates, Black FinLandPly / 2020 34×52×37Angles in plan to fit in a corner, and be more interesting than a rectangular box.
![Michael Kieley Pivot Entry Gate and Pivot Door](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201387/IMG_1442_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201387/IMG_1442_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Pivot Entry Gate and Pivot Door](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201387/IMG_1442_43899247e8.jpeg)
Pivot Entry Gate and Pivot Door
Fir / 2023 84×84×2.5A square solid gate in a pattern duplication the African Mahogany entry door of a residence.
![Michael Kieley Gaudi Screen](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201385/IMG_0160_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201385/IMG_0160_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Gaudi Screen](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201385/IMG_0160_43899247e8.jpeg)
Gaudi Screen
CNC plywood, fused plastic / 2023 80×24×1An homage to the doorway into one of my favorite buildings; the Casa Milá.
![Michael Kieley Hand Made Creation](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201390/IMG_0335_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201390/IMG_0335_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Hand Made Creation](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201390/IMG_0335_43899247e8.jpeg)
Hand Made Creation
PETG filament / 2022 22×18×.25Fused Plastic panel
![Michael Kieley Modern Tansu (Detail)](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201389/P1080915_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201389/P1080915_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Modern Tansu (Detail)](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201389/P1080915_43899247e8.jpeg)
Modern Tansu (Detail)
Bubinga, Lacewood, Etc. / 2016 27×27×18Exotic veneers cover FinLandPly cabinet structure, with oxidized copper accents.
![Michael Kieley Studebaker Rainbow](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201384/IMG_4802_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201384/IMG_4802_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Studebaker Rainbow](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201384/IMG_4802_43899247e8.jpeg)
Studebaker Rainbow
FinLandPly with structural adhesive / 2008 27×99×221440 1“x2” blocks of multiple colors of FinLandPly.
![Michael Kieley Avant Reading Chair](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201388/IMG_1039_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201388/IMG_1039_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Avant Reading Chair](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201388/IMG_1039_43899247e8.jpeg)
Avant Reading Chair
African Mahogany and Upholstery / 2016 29×27×32African Mahogany contemporary chair.
![Michael Kieley 3 Turned wood lamps](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201383/IMG_4810_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201383/IMG_4810_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![3 Turned wood lamps](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201383/IMG_4810_43899247e8.jpeg)
3 Turned wood lamps
Grenadillo, Rosa Parota and Hard Maple / 2009 23-27" tall × 6.5"-8,5" diametersEach block of wood was stacked before turning, the very luminous Maple lamp shows the strong contrast between end grain and face grain.
![Michael Kieley Painterly Experiments with Colored Ink for Lanterns](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201380/IMG_5034_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201380/IMG_5034_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Painterly Experiments with Colored Ink for Lanterns](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201380/IMG_5034_43899247e8.jpeg)
Painterly Experiments with Colored Ink for Lanterns
Colored Ink, Rice Paper, Wood / 2019 15×6×6Each piece was made with a loose blending of vibrant inks. Once the painting was dry, it was formed into a tube and slipped over a wood frame. Illuminated with LED puck light.
![Michael Kieley Woven Wood Fence/Gate Prototype](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201386/IMG_7441_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201386/IMG_7441_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Woven Wood Fence/Gate Prototype](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201386/IMG_7441_43899247e8.jpeg)
Woven Wood Fence/Gate Prototype
Re-sawn Redwood / 2021 96×72×305Inspired by a fence from the 50’s this woven wood provides privacy, but lets breezes pass through.
![Michael Kieley Go Cart Chair in Orange Velvet](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201379/IMG_8510_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201379/IMG_8510_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Go Cart Chair in Orange Velvet](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201379/IMG_8510_43899247e8.jpeg)
Go Cart Chair in Orange Velvet
Poplar, Treefrog Veneer, Orange Velvet / 2016 39×27×36Inspired by the designs of Jens Risom, this modern chair is exceptionally comfortable.
![Michael Kieley Color-block stool](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201382/IMG_8726_3fe5a4b47d.jpeg 700w, https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201382/IMG_8726_25afb2ffff.jpeg 375w)
![Color-block stool](https://furnsoc.org/media/sized/memberwork/michael-kieley/201382/IMG_8726_43899247e8.jpeg)
Color-block stool
FinLandPly / 2014 18×15×233 Colors of FinLandPly blocks are woven together in a waveform using industrial adhesive.