Justice
Artist
Diana Moore
Year1994
Classification
sculpture
Medium
concrete
Dimensions127 1/2 x 104 x 107 in. (323.9 x 264.2 x 271.8 cm)
Credits
Commissioned through the Art in Architecture Program
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
- Looking Justice straight in the eye was Diana Moore's objective when she created an 11-foot concrete head of Justice, represented by the Greek goddess Themis, in the courtyard entrance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Courthouse. The scale of the head was calculated so that the eyes would be roughly eye level with the viewer standing before it.
Unlike much sculpture that is intentionally removed from proximity to the onlooker to suggest an exclusionary position of power or enlightenment, this statue is physcially and emotionally accessible to people to whom it belongs. Anyone can walk up to the head, marvel at its scale in relation to one's own, and yet understand that it is a human image--a likeness of the viewer--with the same potential for strength and wisdom. These are qualities that are fundamental to the American system of justice and allow democracy to flourish.
The location of "Justice" was based on the symmetry of the courthouse and plaza. The plaza is 75 feet deep from the street to the stairs of the building. The head was placed 30 feet from the stairs to enhance, rather than impose on, the visual feeling of the entrance. In this position, the sculpture greets all visitors.
The artist has written:
"My work is inspired by a classical ideal found throughout the world and history, in different civilizations, countries, ethnic and cultural groups. The fullness of the facial features and their strong distinction from the form of the head, is the result of looking at many African masks. The sensuality and serenity of the neck and chin are inspired by Indian and Chinese Buddhas. The sense of stillness and timeliness comes from looking at Egyptian and Cambodian sculpture. Certain Aztec images and the Olmec heads, have a strong physcial presence, which also informs my work. These influences proved to be an asset to the resolution of the Newark project.
It was suggested, when this commission was first awarded to me, that twelve jurors of different ethnic identities might me a good subject for the plaza of this new Federal Courthouse. My response was that, perhaps, a single monumental head representing a mix of racial and cultural distinctions, might better reflect he ideals of our country. This mixture, to me, is the strength and beauty of America's self-image. "
