In a new series, LAist’s Adolfo Guzman-Lopez tells the stories behind Los Angeles public art pieces. The series kicks off with the L.A. Lady Justice sculpture with no sword, scales, or blindfold ...

To Saar, it makes Lady Justice blind to compassion. Saar’s 12-foot-tall bronze sculpture was unveiled in 2014, when the L.A. County Hall of Justice was re-opened after extensive renovations.

The sword represents Lady Justice’s commitment to administering the law decisively. Sometimes that involves boring stuff like enforcing zoning codes (unless you know someone on council).

Artist Alison Saar refused to create her version of Lady Justice with a sword, scales, or blindfold. She says she saw the history of justice in the U.S. differently.