Artist: Martin Puryear

Martin Puryear is an American sculptor who was born on May 23, 1941, in Washington D.C. He is known for his elegant and abstract works that often incorporate natural materials, such as wood, stone, and wire.

Puryear's work is characterized by his use of traditional craft techniques, such as woodworking and metalworking, and his focus on form and texture. His sculptures are often inspired by nature and organic forms, but are abstracted in a way that emphasizes their material qualities.

Puryear has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions and his work has been included in many group shows and biennials. He has received many awards for his work, including the MacArthur Fellowship in 1989, and his sculptures are included in the collections of many major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and the Tate Modern in London.

In addition to his career as a sculptor, Puryear has also taught at a number of institutions, including Yale University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Chicago.