Reflection on Martin Puryear

Martin’s work is very simple and abstract. It has an organic feel and a lot of his materials consist of wood or things found in nature.  His work embodies an elegance that draws me in and causes me to question its meaning.  I want to speak to Martin and ask him why he named the large smooth bolder “self”. I appreciate how Martin Puryear manages to makes heavy objects, such as wood, appear lighter. I think his work is communicating simplicity and life.  I think the bolder titled “Self” is a reflection of how he sees himself.  They also reflect humor, like the piece titled “Dumb Luck”. He references everyday objects such as a handle, a jug, chains, wheelbarrow, an eye, a building and many other everyday objects.  I think it would smell like cedar or metallic. I imagine many of the pieces being smooth, and others being rough, he uses various textures. I also imagine the forms being very large, almost completely taking up a room. Walking around them would take several steps, but I feel like the vastness of the forms would help to add to the meaning. I also think the plain white walls in the background are very important when displaying Puryear’s work.  If they were anything but plain the sculptures would begin to lose their meaning and effect.