People don’t seem to be talking much about the Martin Puryear show at the National Gallery – and it’s a shame because the work is so good and Puryear is one of the few local artists to reach the international arena.
However the exhibition is disjointed as parts of the show are located all over the gallery. Four or five pieces are in the west building, Ladder for Booker T. Washington is installed in the main rotunda in the east building and the rest of the show is shoehorned into the smaller galleries of the west wing of the main building, forcing the viewer to go through a maze of rooms. Even with only two or three artworks in each gallery, they feel tight and really with one exception the works are unable to resonate with each other.
To me one of the great beauties of Puryears work is the absolute craftmanship that is evident in his work in every form and material he uses. These are well thought out and beautifully made objects that hint at mystery and the eccentricity of the creative process. This ecentricity has always intrigued me – its almost cagean in the way that these artworks refer to something but they never give the whole picture. Instead they give a distillation of visual approaches without giving away the whole idea behind the piece. I find them to be some of the strongest sculpture made in the last 20 years.
Highly recomended, despite the awkard staging of the exhibition.
Martin Puryear, Old Mole, 1985
I think many saw the exhibit at MoMa, that may be a reason for a lack of postings. I posted after the preview as did others.
It’s a great show and was nice to see it in the NGA galleries, totally different feel. Martin was at the preview and got to speak with him for a bit, very cool.
Everybody’s sleepy. It’s the summer, yo.
I agree completely – I saw an exhibition of his work at the Berkeley Art Museum (maybe 8 years ago?) and it was exceptional – all of his pieces were installed in the same space (the central gallery/atrium), so you could get a collective sense of his work.
I don’t know anyone who isn’t talking about this show….
I mean actual people. Moving their mouths.
Not typing on blogs.
I haven’t had a chance to see the Puryear at the MoMA or the NGA, but I did review the catalogue:
http://artblogbybob.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-than-minimum.html
Hey, Moxie, bloggers are people, too. If it’s any consolation, my lips move slightly when I type.
–Bob (ArtBlogByBob.blogspot.com)
"bloggers are people, too" <- I love it :) just got back to DC area, will try and see this m