Puryear, Martin

Puryear, Martin

(1941– ) sculptor; born in Chicago. He studied at Catholic University of America (B.A. 1963), Yale (M.F.A. 1971), and taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle (1970, 1978–88). He is known for his work in exotic woods and architectural wall pieces. Although he spoke out on behalf of his fellow African-Americans, his early work at least aimed for an abstract purity rather than social realism.