Artwork Detail

Artist Alison Saar has created a monumental figurative bronze sculpture for the exterior plaza to serve as a companion piece to the historic Hall of Justice. In her own words, Saar says of the artwork, “Embodied represents the spirit of Justice. She is not a typical depiction, for she wields no sword, wears no blindfold. Her lucid eyes are blind to creed and color. She is all seeing in issues of truth and equity. She weighs and balances the book of the law and equates it to freedom and peace, as affirmed by the dove taking flight from her upheld hand.” The figure’s facial features are a composite of many ethnicities, according to Saar representing the diverse populations of Los Angeles County. Draped over one arm, she holds a long braid meant to symbolize the coming together of the many facets of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to ensure a secure and peaceful environment. Imprinted on her dress are over 200 words gathered from conversations with staff of the Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office, schools and courthouses. Saar also spent time in Grand Park downtown and asked a random sampling
of people for their input. More than a dozen languages are included on the sculpture. Saar and a team of over 30 artisans, bronze casters and engineers were involved in the making of the artwork. From start to finish, the team transformed a 12-inch clay model to a life and a half scale bronze sculpture weighing over one ton. Embodied was made entirely within Los Angeles County, including Decker Studios bronze foundry in North Hollywood and Exclusive Welding in La Crescenta.

Alison Saar was born, raised and educated in Los Angeles, California. She has shown her work in museums internationally and has pieces in many major museum collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of Art and Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden. Embodied will be her eighth major public commission. To learn more about the artist: http://www.lalouver.com