Bending the Arc

The artwork

“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” 

Martin Luther King Jr

1965

Martin Puryear’s monumental sculpture brings the “long arc,” an important idea of the Civil Rights Movement, to life. To make it, Puryear, known for his meticulous, traditional techniques, began by hand-carving a straight, 34-foot wooden beam. It was 3D scanned, enlarged and curved, then forged in stainless steel. Today, it welcomes visitors to the south end of the Plaza.

Location: Outdoor Grounds | Plaza

The artist

Martin Puryear is an American artist known for his work in wood, bronze, and other materials, with a focus on craftsmanship and form. His sculptures often draw on traditional techniques while exploring scale, structure, and balance. President Obama presented Puryear with the National Medal of Arts in 2012 and Puryear represented the United States at the 2019 Venice Biennale.