JUSTICE FOR ALL 2019

Yinka Shonibare's sculpture "Justice for All" presents a compelling take on the concept of justice, using a range of materials and processes. The sculpture features a figure draped in vibrant Dutch wax print fabric, arms outstretched, balancing the scales of justice. In place of a head, a globe rests atop the figure's shoulders. The Dutch wax fabric, though seemingly traditional, carries a complex history tied to colonialism and global trade. Originally produced by the Dutch for the Indonesian market, it found popularity in West Africa, becoming a symbol of African identity. Shonibare's choice of fabric infuses the work with layers of meaning, touching on themes of cultural hybridity, post-colonialism, and globalization. The figure's lack of a specific identity, replaced by a world globe, invites us to consider justice on a global scale, while the fabric serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of cultures and economies. By bringing these materials and ideas together, Shonibare challenges conventional notions of justice, prompting us to reflect on its complexities in a globalized world. It invites us to question traditional notions of high art and craft, and to consider the ways in which materials can carry meaning and social commentary.