Medals of Injustice
Joshua Baurley is an artist specialising in small-scale sculpture, using the vehicle of the art medal to compare opposite or opposing sides of a humanitarian or political issue.
This series of art medals is inspired by themes of injustice. The specific theme presented within each medal varies, but each contrasts this theme with an example of our own daily ‘injustices’. These two contrasting reflections on opposite sides of the medal raise awareness of these injustices, by relating them to experiences and actions we are all familiar with.
Each piece was hand sculpted before being cast into either bronze or pewter. The material of bronze was chosen for its traditional use in medal making. Behind each of these medals is a framed image is a hand written image presenting the facts surrounding each medal’s theme; along with the artists own thoughts on the subject. For the fifth medal, pewter was used instead of bronze, as the highly polished finish helps to emphasise its message. This mirror surface on one side of the medal, shifts the onus onto the viewer, asking them what they will do about this subject, or any of them.
While the pieces are each presented in their own individual stand, the artist encourages the viewer to pick up and interact with the pieces. Handling the pieces the viewer can receive a more in-depth look into the themes presented by viewing both sides of the medal, or reading the text carved along the edge of some of the pieces.
