CURRENTLY IN LOS ANGELES THERE ARE OVER 200 STATUES AND 1% ARE WOMEN
Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Home to the iconic Hollywood sign, and a paradise of idyllic weather. The creative city is boasting with more than 100 museums, showcasing the Walk of Fame and leading the fashion industry in America. Even with these layers of artistic activity, and hundreds of public statues, sadly only 3 statues represent women. Although a statue of Brandi Chastain was recently unveiled, Los Angeles has a long way to even out the representation of women in public art.
Current Statues of Women in Los Angeles
Brandi Chastain
Brandi Chastain, also known as the Golden Ball winner of the World Cup in 1999, is the woman who made the penalty kick that served as the winning moment for the 1999 squad. Chastain and her trailblazing teammates, helped inspire countless girls to pursue their athletic dreams. Pasadena City Councilwoman Margaret McAustin said “The importance of the 1999 victory to sports and to women cannot be overstated, without the work done by the 1999 Women’s World Cup team, victory in 2019 simply wouldn’t have been possible.” You can find her statue made by Brian Hanlon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Comfort Women
Birthed from the original ‘The Statue of Peace’, Comfort Women is one of the most controversial projects / statues in history. The statue represents over 200,000 girls, teenage girls and women who were forced into Japan’s military-run brothels during World War II. Not only was this statue presented to recognise the past, but to bring light to human trafficking. With many protestors around the world, some even evolving into ending sister city relationships, the momentum for placing Comfort Women statues around the globe is still going with no signs of stopping. You can find her statue funded and built by the Korean American Forum of California, at the Memorial park in Glendale, California.
Embodied
The installation is of the Hall of Justice’s new ‘Lady of Justice’ which offers another opportunity to reaffirm the mission to protect the community through fair and ethical pursuit of justice. This iconic symbol, which stands at an incredible 12 feet, reminds visitors that the Hall of Justice is a place where prosecutors are dedicated to seeking justice for all.Beautifully imprinted in the dress of the Embodied woman is the word “Justice” in more than a dozen languages, whilst on her left hand is a dove taking flight and a book of law in her right. The juxtaposition shows her weighing and balancing the book of law and equating it to freedom. You can find her statue made by Alison Saar, at the grounds of the downtown Hall of Justice.
