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JUST IS

$22,000.00

Bronze

37”h x 20”w x 7”d, 2016

Artist Statement

This wall sculpture challenges the notion that justice is blind. How each of us fails or succeeds in this world has much to do with pure luck. Was I born in a parched village in a remote and poor part of Africa or to white, educated parents in a developed country?... At the same time, the world economic system is anything but fair. Educational opportunities are not the same for everyone, which largely determines one's socioeconomic status (along with race, gender, and social connections.) Lady Justice’s blindfold has been pulled up, and she is winking conspiratorially at the hand with the money in it, representing all of the advantages in our society (e.g., money, power, education, being white, being male, having powerful connections.) Those with all these advantages continue to consolidate wealth and power, generation after generation. The hand without these advantages remains empty. That’s the way it just is.

— Doug Thielscher

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Bronze

37”h x 20”w x 7”d, 2016

Artist Statement

This wall sculpture challenges the notion that justice is blind. How each of us fails or succeeds in this world has much to do with pure luck. Was I born in a parched village in a remote and poor part of Africa or to white, educated parents in a developed country?... At the same time, the world economic system is anything but fair. Educational opportunities are not the same for everyone, which largely determines one's socioeconomic status (along with race, gender, and social connections.) Lady Justice’s blindfold has been pulled up, and she is winking conspiratorially at the hand with the money in it, representing all of the advantages in our society (e.g., money, power, education, being white, being male, having powerful connections.) Those with all these advantages continue to consolidate wealth and power, generation after generation. The hand without these advantages remains empty. That’s the way it just is.

— Doug Thielscher

Bronze

37”h x 20”w x 7”d, 2016

Artist Statement

This wall sculpture challenges the notion that justice is blind. How each of us fails or succeeds in this world has much to do with pure luck. Was I born in a parched village in a remote and poor part of Africa or to white, educated parents in a developed country?... At the same time, the world economic system is anything but fair. Educational opportunities are not the same for everyone, which largely determines one's socioeconomic status (along with race, gender, and social connections.) Lady Justice’s blindfold has been pulled up, and she is winking conspiratorially at the hand with the money in it, representing all of the advantages in our society (e.g., money, power, education, being white, being male, having powerful connections.) Those with all these advantages continue to consolidate wealth and power, generation after generation. The hand without these advantages remains empty. That’s the way it just is.

— Doug Thielscher

 

In the thought-provoking wall sculpture "JUST IS," Douglas Thielscher embarks on a profound exploration of the complex theme of justice and its intricate relationship with privilege, opportunity, and the stark realities of our world.

This powerful work challenges the conventional notion that justice is an impartial and blind arbiter, inviting viewers to confront the pervasive inequalities that define our global landscape.

At the heart of "JUST IS" lies a contemplation of the role of luck and circumstance in shaping individual destinies. Thielscher prompts us to reflect on the profound influence of our birthplace, socioeconomic status, and access to education in determining our life's trajectory. The sculpture lays bare the stark reality that the world economic system is far from equitable, and opportunities are distributed unevenly, often dictated by factors such as race, gender, and social connections.

In this sculpture, Thielscher unveils a striking reinterpretation of Lady Justice, traditionally depicted as blindfolded and impartial. Here, the blindfold is lifted, revealing a conspiratorial wink directed at the hand clutching money—a symbol of privilege and advantage in our society. The sculpture poignantly captures the ongoing consolidation of wealth and power by those born into privilege, while the empty hand symbolizes the struggle faced by those devoid of such advantages. "JUST IS" compels viewers to confront the uncomfortable truth that the world's injustices persist, perpetuating cycles of inequality from one generation to the next.

Through "JUST IS," Thielscher's artistry serves as a mirror to our societal values and challenges us to grapple with the dissonance between the idealized concept of justice and the stark realities of our world.

This sculpture prompts introspection and dialogue, urging us to acknowledge the systemic disparities that persist and encouraging us to envision a more equitable future. In a world where the pursuit of justice remains an ongoing quest, "JUST IS" serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative to confront the inequalities that define our shared human experience.