Jackson Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Alison Saar, b. 1956

Torch Song, 2026

— Cast bronze with patina —

Alison Saar Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Alison Saar Marker

Inscription. Alison Saar's monumental singer, in blue-green cast bronze, recalls the Statue of Liberty. Holding a flame and wearing piano keys across her shoulders, she honors the powerful Black female voices—from Marian Anderson to Koko Taylor to Nina Simone—who have become the soundtrack of resistance in the fight for justice. Overlooking the Women's Garden, Torch Song keeps the spirit of progress alight.

Erected 2026 by Barack Obama Presidential Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #44 Barack Obama series list.

Location. 41° 47.209′ N, 87° 35.116′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near Midway Plaisance, on the right when traveling north. The marker and statue are on the grounds of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, near the Women's Garden just north of the building. Touch for map. Marker is

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at or near this postal address: 6001 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of Jackson Park (a few steps from this marker); The First Automobile Race in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Rain, Snow, Flush, Grow (within shouting distance of this marker); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970 (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering Lori Healey (1959-2025) (within shouting distance of this marker); Maya Lin, b. 1959 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ann Dunham (about 300 feet away); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map

<i>Torch Song</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Torch Song

of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Alison Saar, b. 1956. The Los Angeles-based Alison Saar is responsible for a few other notable public art pieces in Chicago. One is the Monument to the Great Northern Migration, located on Martin Luther King Drive near its intersection with the Stevenson Expressway. It was erected in 1996 at the northern end of the Bronzeville Walk of Fame, which honors some of the most significant residents that have lived in that historically Black neighborhood on the South Side. Another recent work by Saar is To Sit a While, located on Navy Pier and erected in 2022 honor of Lorraine Hansberry, the Chicago-born playwright who wrote A Raisin in the Sun.

Also see . . . Torch Song. The Obama Center webpage for this artwork includes an interview with the artist, Alison Saar. (Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Alison Saar Marker at the Obama Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Alison Saar Marker at the Obama Center

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.