ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Maya Lin Unveils Stone Sculpture at JPMorgan Chase Skyscraper in Manhattan

architecture-design · 2026-05-11

Maya Lin has designed "A Parallel Nature," a stone facade sculpture for the JPMorgan Chase skyscraper, a 60-story building that opened last fall in Midtown Manhattan. This artwork features two gray stone walls, each standing 59 feet tall and 55 feet wide, adorned with plants emerging from their crevices. The inspiration for the piece comes from rock formations found in Central Park and Lin's childhood surroundings in Athens, Ohio. The skyscraper, which is estimated to cost between $3 and $4 billion, is situated between 47th and 48th Streets and Madison and Park Avenues, boasting illuminated artwork at its peak that can be seen throughout the city. This spring, new flowers were added to the walls, creating a peaceful retreat from urban noise.

Key facts

  • Maya Lin created 'A Parallel Nature' for the JPMorgan Chase skyscraper in Manhattan.
  • The sculpture is composed of two 59-foot-tall and 55-foot-wide gray stone walls.
  • Plants grow from crevices in the walls, echoing natural rock formations.
  • The skyscraper is 60 stories tall and cost an estimated $3–4 billion.
  • The building opened last fall and occupies the block between 47th and 48th Streets and Madison and Park Avenues.
  • The artwork at the summit glows and is visible citywide.
  • Lin was inspired by rock outcrops in Central Park and near her childhood home in Athens, Ohio.
  • The sculpture and plaza are meant to provide respite from the city's noise.

Entities

Artists

  • Maya Lin

Institutions

  • JPMorgan Chase
  • The New York Times

Locations

  • New York City
  • Manhattan
  • Central Park
  • Fifth Avenue
  • East 67th Street
  • 47th Street
  • 48th Street
  • Madison Avenue
  • Park Avenue
  • Athens
  • Ohio

Sources