"I was never interested in making cool, distilled, pure objects"

Martin Puryear's quote talks to his method to art-making. He is not interested in developing art that is merely aesthetically pleasing or "cool." Rather, he has an interest in creating art that is complex and layered, art that has a much deeper significance and purpose. He wants to develop art that is not just a "distilled, pure object," however rather something that has a story to tell and a message to convey. He wants to develop art that is significant and thought-provoking, art that can be translated in different ways by various people. He wishes to produce art that is not simply a quite object, however something that can be appreciated on a much deeper level. By declining the idea of creating "cool, distilled, pure items," Martin Puryear is highlighting the importance of developing art that has a purpose and a message.