1941 (Washington, District Of Columbia) Share an Image of the
Artist Often Known For abstract wooden structure sculptor Would
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Categories of Interest Black American Artists |This biography
from the Archives of AskART:| |Of his sculpture Martin Puryear
has said: "I think my work speaks to anybody who has the
capacity to slow down."| Puryear is best known for his works in
hard wood, his primary medium, but he also utilizes other
materials including rawhide and wire. Michael Kimmelman noted in
the "New York Times" (March 1, 1992), "No artist today has a
greater reverence for wood or can do more with it." In 1989,
Puryear represented the United States at the Sao Paulo Bienal,
thus becoming the first black artist to represent the U.S.
officially in an international art exhibition. The oldest of the
children--five sons and two daughters--of Reginald Puryear, a
postal worker, and Martina Puryear, an elementary-school
teacher, Martin Puryear was born on May 23,