Born in Washington, D.C., Martin Puryear developed an early interest in woodworking and natural history. He pursued formal training at the Catholic University of America and the Swedish Royal Academy of Arts, where he refined his technical skills in furniture making and traditional craft. His breakthrough came in the late 1970s and 1980s, as he gained recognition for his large-scale, minimalist sculptures that bridged the gap between fine art and artisanal labor.

Puryear is best known for his use of wood, often combined with materials like wire, mesh, and tar, to construct complex, biomorphic shapes. His work frequently explores themes of identity, labor, and the physical properties of his chosen media, resulting in objects that feel both ancient and contemporary. His reductive approach emphasizes the tactile quality of his materials, inviting viewers to engage with the structural integrity and poetic resonance of each piece.

Currently, Puryear remains a prominent figure in contemporary sculpture, with his work continuing to be the subject of major institutional surveys. The 2026 exhibition Martin Puryear: Nexus, co-organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, highlights the breadth of his career, showcasing his evolution through sculpture, prints, and drawings from the 1960s to the present day.