Martin Puryear
Parasol unit, London
18 Sept – 6 Dec 2017
It’s not often that I discover artists like Martin Puryear. I was truly impressed by the body of work he presented at the Parasol Unit gallery in Shoreditch, London, at the end of last year, and deeply inspired by it. His abstract works are finely handmade from wood and bronze, and his use of craft methods and natural materials in sculpture reveals a profound respect for skilled craftsmanship. He proves that abstraction is not separate from traditional techniques — in fact, it’s more relevant than ever.
To me, this exhibition evoked the spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement championed by William Morris and John Ruskin in the 19th century — the joy of craftsmanship and the natural beauty of materials.
Furthermore, through his work, Puryear also explores social history and makes subtle political statements. In addition to the sculptures, the printmaking pieces presented on the gallery’s first floor offered a different perspective on the themes expressed in wood and bronze.
Curated by Ziba Ardalan, this was the artist’s first solo show in London. It featured more than 30 sculptures and works on paper, spanning 40 years of his artistic practice. The ground-floor gallery showcased large-scale works, such as Big Phrygian (2010–2014). This five-foot-tall cedarwood sculpture, painted bright red, resembles the distinctive shape of a Phrygian cap — a soft conical cap with the top pulled forward. Worn in ancient Eastern Europe and Anatolia, the Phrygian cap has come to symbolize the pursuit of liberty. In contrast, the iron sculpture Shackled (2014) recalls the restraints worn by enslaved people during their forced passage to America.
The African-American artist began exploring traditional craft methods in his youth. He studied for a BA in the United States, then spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, where he learned local woodworking techniques. After his time in Africa, he studied for two more years (1966–68) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in Stockholm, before returning to the US to attend Yale University in 1971, where he earned an MFA in Sculpture. His work is widely exhibited and collected both in the United States and internationally.
“I value the referential quality of art, the fact that a work can allude to things or states of being without in any way representing them.” Martin Puryear.
For The Art Berries, experiencing these works felt like merging with nature — almost as when an architect contemplates how to integrate a design within the surrounding landscape, though with a humbler approach. We hope you enjoy the photos!
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