Martin Puryear
Aso Oke

Aso Oke

© Martin Puryear, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery

Aso Oke
Aso Oke
ArtistAmerican, born 1941
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Aso Oke
Date2019
MediumBronze, edition 2/3
Dimensions84 × 104 1/2 × 73 in., 1325lb. (213.4 × 265.4 × 185.4 cm, 601kg)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Caroline Wiess Law Accessions Endowment
Object number2020.116
Current Location
The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
Arrivals Hall
Exposé

Explore Further

Object Type
DescriptionMartin Puryear’s sculpture alludes to habitats, human figures, and everyday objects, or fuses these allusions, always reflecting a profound understanding of form, structure, and materials. The monumental bronze Aso Oke, first featured in Puryear’s presentation at the 2019 Venice Biennale, is in the shape of a traditional aso oke, the ceremonial Nigerian cap with a crown that flips over the ear. Just as the aso oke has become a symbol of African political independence, Puryear’s sculpture reflects his interest in the symbolic significance of everyday objects, in particular, the ways these items convey liberty, an enduring theme for the artist.
ProvenanceThe artist; [Matthew Marks Gallery, New York]; purchased by the MFAH, 2020.
Exhibition History"Martin Puryear: Liberty/Libertà," United States Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, Venice, May 11–November 24, 2019.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Signed and stamped: M Puryear, 2/3, [W]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Wutala, Ancestral Crown
17th–18th century
Gold
2004.2308
[Book in slipcase]
Martin Puryear
2000
A) Leather, paper B) African wenge, Swiss pear, American walnut, and sugar maple
2001.190.8.A,.B
White-Ground Lekythos with Lute Player and Mourner
500–400 BC
Terracotta and slip
34.131
Burial Mask
5th century or earlier
Gold
2004.2231
Mose che uccide I'Egiziano
Romualdo Alinari
1850–1859
Albumen silver print
2000.280.49
Head of Moses
Carlo Parlati
20th century
Coral, gold
94.982
Set of Six Wine Labels
Digby Scott
1806
Silver-gilt
2017.447.1-.6
Crown
Early to mid 19th century
Gold sheet
2004.2380
Pair of Upper Armbands
9th-10th century
Gold
2004.2230.1,.2
Pectoral
9th–10th century
Gold
2004.2228
Crown
9th–10th century
Gold, amethyst, rock crystal
2004.2229