As I reflect on the flaws of the American government, I think about the misrepresentation of people, false accusations,  and the egocentric bias present in the system; which lead me to consider Lady Justice and the  idea of America calling itself the "Land of the Free" or "Justice for All." Lady Justice is intended  to symbolize the impartial treatment of all individuals and to represent a fair and just legal  system. However, how can we say this is true when there is a lack of inclusion and diversity that leads government officials to be biased?  

My painting underwent many layers as I made formal choices in my application of paint to support this message. In the artwork, I allowed paint to drip in certain areas, used layers of both  thick and thin paint, and included loose expressive mark-making. I used a limited color palette  consisting of red, white, blue, and bronze/gold—colors that America typically associates with  itself. I incorporated fabric from the American flag to symbolize the "weight" that America bears  when faced with its flaws. As I reflect on my paint application and its impact on the meaning of  this piece, I aim to analyze whether the United States, particularly its judicial system, is truly living up to its ideals.