Washington, DC's own Martin Puryear was honored at the White House last week by President Obama for his contribution to America in history, culture and identity through sculpture.
In his youth, Puryear studied crafts and learned how to build guitars, furniture, and canoes through practical training and instruction. After earning his BA from Catholic University in Washington DC, Puryear joined the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, and later attended the Swedish Royal Academy of Art.
He received an MFA in sculpture from Yale University in 1971. Puryear’s objects and public installations—in wood, stone, tar, wire, and various metals—are a marriage of minimalist logic with traditional ways of making.
Puryear joined Al Pacino, perhaps one of the most prolific and recognized actors of our time, awarded for his contribution to film and the Arts. The 71-year old smiled earnestly upon meeting the president and his cheeriness continued as he headed off stage, turning to the attendees to show off his award before taking his seat.
The president 's Council of the Arts is a project near and dear to both President Obama and Mrs. Obama. The president said he would preserve celebration of the Arts as long as he is president.
Other awardees of the National Medal of Arts included American painter Will Barnet, poet laureate Rita Dove, art curator Emily Pulitzer, country music's Mel Tellis, pianist Andre Watts, and United Service Organizations.
Awardees of the National Humanities Medal were philosopher Kwame Appiah, poet John Ashbery, historian Robert Darnton, writer of American literature Andrew Delbanco, pianist Charles Rosen, historian Teofilo F. Ruiz, Ramon Saldivar, and Amartya Sen for his insights into the causes of poverty, famine and injustice.
Several Hollywood types were seen in the audience, among them Alfre Woodward, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Lithgow.
Among last year's Humanities and Arts awardees were Ms. Maya Angelou, Bill Russell, Warren Buffet and cellist Yo Yo Ma.
Puryear joined Al Pacino, perhaps one of the most prolific and recognized actors of our time, awarded for his contribution to film and the Arts. The 71-year old smiled earnestly upon meeting the president and his cheeriness continued as he headed off stage, turning to the attendees to show off his award before taking his seat.
The president 's Council of the Arts is a project near and dear to both President Obama and Mrs. Obama. The president said he would preserve celebration of the Arts as long as he is president.
Other awardees of the National Medal of Arts included American painter Will Barnet, poet laureate Rita Dove, art curator Emily Pulitzer, country music's Mel Tellis, pianist Andre Watts, and United Service Organizations.
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| Al Pacino, poet laureate Rita Dove, and sculptor Martin Puryear receive the 2011 National Medal of Arts award from President Obama. Photos/CD Brown. |
Awardees of the National Humanities Medal were philosopher Kwame Appiah, poet John Ashbery, historian Robert Darnton, writer of American literature Andrew Delbanco, pianist Charles Rosen, historian Teofilo F. Ruiz, Ramon Saldivar, and Amartya Sen for his insights into the causes of poverty, famine and injustice.
Several Hollywood types were seen in the audience, among them Alfre Woodward, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Lithgow.
Among last year's Humanities and Arts awardees were Ms. Maya Angelou, Bill Russell, Warren Buffet and cellist Yo Yo Ma.
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