Richard Stankiewicz

American, 1922-1983

Sculpture should have a sense of humor; it should make people see the ordinary in a new way.
— Richard Stankiewicz

Sculpture should have a sense of humor; it should make people see the ordinary in a new way.
— Richard Stankiewicz

Biography

Richard Stankiewicz (1922–1983) was an American sculptor celebrated for his innovative use of scrap metal and found objects. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Detroit, he trained in drafting, engineering, and art at Cass Technical High School. Though he earned a scholarship to Cranbrook Academy of Art, financial constraints led him to join the Civilian Conservation Corps and work as a craftsman.
In 1941, Stankiewicz enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radio operator in the Aleutian Islands, where he carved his first sculptures from animal bones. While stationed in Seattle and Hawaii, he explored painting and connected with artists like Morris Graves and Mark Tobey, gaining early exposure to contemporary art circles.

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