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Maya Lin: Architect, Artist, and Environmental Activist

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Maya Lin, An Asian American Artist And Architect, Is Best Known For Designing The Vietnam Veterans Memorial In Washington, D.C. Maya Lin: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

Maya Lin is an accomplished Asian-American architect, artist, and environmental activist. She is best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was completed in 1982. Lin's work has been praised for its simplicity, elegance, and power to evoke emotion. She has also received recognition for her commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice.

Maya Lin: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

by Donald Langmead

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2155 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	190 pages

Early Life and Education

Maya Lin was born on October 5, 1959, in Athens, Ohio. Her parents, Henry Huan Lin and Julia Chang Lin, were both immigrants from China. Lin's father was a ceramics professor at Ohio University, and her mother was a literature professor.

Lin grew up in a creative and intellectually stimulating environment. She began taking art classes at a young age and showed a talent for drawing and sculpture. Lin attended Yale University, where she studied architecture and sculpture. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in architecture in 1981.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

In 1981, Lin entered a national design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Her design was selected from over 1,400 submissions. The memorial is a simple, yet powerful, black granite wall inscribed with the names of the more than 58,000 American soldiers who died in the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was met with controversy upon its completion. Some critics argued that it was too abstract and did not adequately honor the dead. However, the memorial has since become one of the most visited and iconic monuments in Washington, D.C. It has been praised for its beauty, simplicity, and ability to evoke a sense of loss and reflection.

Other Notable Works

In addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Maya Lin has designed a number of other notable works, including:

* The Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama (1989) * The Wave Field at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (1995) * The Women's Table at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut (1993) * The Confluence Project, a series of public art installations that explore the relationship between water and human history (2002-present)

Lin's work is often characterized by its use of natural materials, such as stone, wood, and water. She is also known for her commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice.

Awards and Recognition

Maya Lin has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including:

* The Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016) * The National Medal of Arts (2009) * The Pritzker Architecture Prize (1995) * The MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (1986)

Lin is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Design. She is also a trustee of the National Park Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Personal Life

Maya Lin married Daniel Wolf, a photographer, in 1989. They have two children, Ethan and India. Lin lives and works in New York City.

Legacy

Maya Lin is one of the most influential and celebrated architects and artists of our time. Her work has had a profound impact on the way we think about memorials, public art, and the environment. Lin's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Maya Lin: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

by Donald Langmead

4.7 out of 5