Martin Puryear is a contemporary American sculptor. He creates art mainly from wood, but also from marble, metal and other materials, reflecting the natural world and diverse cultures. This exhibition brings together 45 pieces to provide a comprehensive overview of his work. An integral part of the exhibition is the contributions of writers, artists, curators, and architects who have offered their interpretations of Puryear’s work. The MFA hopes that these multiple voices will help visitors to find their own meaning in, and relationship with, the works on display. Interpretations of non-figurative art are quite rare, so these contributions were really valuable. Having never heard of this artist before, I really appreciated the use of natural materials and how they were entwined, as well as the hidden joy and humour behind his pieces. It was a pleasant discovery.
“I feel like my path is like a spiral in that you’re coming back at a different time to a familiar place…”
-Martin Puryear”