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

Maya Lin, b. 1959

Seeing Through the Universe, 2026

— American Silver Cloud granite —

Maya Lin, b. 1959 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. Maya Lin, b. 1959 Marker

Inscription. The centerpiece of this serene space, Seeing Through the Universe unites two stone sculptures that invite different ways of seeing. The large, flat element invites depth and inward reflection, while the upright oculus frames a portal-like view. Together, they evoke the balanced, complementary relationship between President and Mrs. Obama. As you look through the oculus, notice how the mist subtly transforms your perspective.

Erected 2026 by Barack Obama Presidential Center.

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

Location. 41° 47.165′ N, 87° 35.111′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near East 60th Street, on the right. The marker is on the grounds of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, near its east side. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6001 South

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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: Ann Dunham (here, next to this marker); The First Automobile Race in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Alison Saar, b. 1956 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Let's Keep Moving (about 300 feet away); Congressman John Lewis, 2020 (about 300 feet away); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970 (about 300 feet away); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (about 300 feet away); History of Jackson Park (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Maya Lin, b. 1959. Artist Maya Lin was born in Ohio to Chinese immigrants.

Maya Lin, b. 1959 Marker and <i>Seeing Through the Universe</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. Maya Lin, b. 1959 Marker and Seeing Through the Universe

While studying architecture as an undergraduate at Yale University, a design she submitted won a national competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. While controversial at the time for, among other reasons, its minimalist design, the memorial — black granite featuring the names of all service members who died in Vietnam — has been influential and generally well accepted by the public. In 2016, President Obama awarded Maya Lin the Presidential Medal of Honor.

Also see . . . Maya Lin bio. From her art studio's website.

Excerpt: "Nature and the environment have long been central concerns for Lin who attended Yale University where she earned a BA in 1981 and a Master of Architecture degree in 1986. Lin was thrust into the spotlight when, as a senior at Yale, she submitted the winning design in a national competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be built in Washington, D.C. She has gone on to a remarkable career in both art and architecture, whilst still being committed to memory works that focus on some of the critical historical issues of our time."

(Submitted on October 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Maya Lin, b. 1959 Marker at the Obama Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Maya Lin, b. 1959 Marker at the Obama Center

Courtesy of the World Economic Forum (via Wikimedia Commons), 2023

4. Maya Lin

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 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. 4. submitted on October 21, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.