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

Martin Puryear, b. 1941

Bending the Arc, 2026

— Stainless steel and quartzite stone —

Martin Puryear, b. 1941 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Martin Puryear, b. 1941 Marker

Inscription. "We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
1965

Martin Puryear's monumental sculpture is inspired by the "long arc," an anchoring image of the Civil Rights Movement that continues to resonate today. Puryear created the sculpture by hand-carving a straight, 34-foot wooden beam. It was 3D scanned, then enlarged and curved digitally, before reaching its final form in stainless steel. The artist believes that the arc of the moral universe doesn't bend toward justice by itself, but only when it is moved by courageous women and men of good will.

Erected 2026 by Barack Obama Presidential Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #44 Barack Obama, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1965.

Location. 41° 47.121′ N, 87° 35.163′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It is on South Stony Island

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Avenue south of East 60th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is near the Chicago Public Library branch on the campus of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Touch for map. Marker is 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: You Are America (a few steps from this marker); Congressman John Lewis, 2020 (within shouting distance of this marker); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Let's Keep Moving (about 400 feet away); Maya Lin, b. 1959 (about 400 feet away); Ann Dunham (about 400 feet away); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Martin Puryear, b. 1941 Marker

(about 400 feet away); The First Automobile Race in America (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . . Martin Puryear. A biography from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. (Submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

<i>Bending the Arc</i> at the Obama Presidential Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Bending the Arc at the Obama Presidential Center

<i>Bending the Arc</i> at the Obama Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, circa October 17, 2026

4. Bending the Arc at the Obama Center

In this view from the terrace on top of the Chicago Public Library branch next to the Obama Center, Puryear's sculpture is in the foreground. In the far background on the left is the Museum of Science and Industry.

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 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.