Deborah Patel & Arti Mohan: Lady Restorative

Deborah Patel & Arti Mohan: Lady Restorative

Lady Restorative – art by Deborah Patel, concept by Arti Mohan

ARTIST STATEMENT

Themis or Lady Justice is often symbolic of existing legal systems. Instead of a culturally foreign icon sitting on a pedestal who decides the fate of parties for them, restorative justice perceives Lady Justice (Lady Restorative) as someone who is from among the people and, instead of being positioned in a seat of power, someone who sits with the people. Lady Restorative creates space for the people directly impacted by the harm to come together to address it. By giving her sword and scales to the people involved in the conflict, she remains a facilitator of the process than an all-powerful decider. Rather than being blindfolded in an attempt to achieve neutrality, she is mindful of each participant’s lived reality and their needs.

LOCATION: India