Isn’t it ironic? The Justice Wall stands as a vibrant testament to justice. It graces the side of a law firm at 821 W. Milwaukee St.
This Detroit mural is the creation of the talented artist Fel3000ft. He hopes his art moves people. He wants it to leave a lasting impression.
Fel3000ft is a graffiti writer and muralist. He has been painting Detroit’s buildings for over 35 years. His art carries messages of renewal identity and inclusion.
The Justice Wall features Lady Justice. Typically she is blindfolded. However here her arm extends to hold swinging scales. Brightly colored roses entangle her body. The skin breaks open revealing inner workings.
Fel3000ft said he had not created public art since the pandemic hit. The Justice Wall was his first piece that year. Many clients put plans on hold due to COVID-19 budget issues.
He was battling some depression as he could not do the thing that makes him tick. It felt good to be back creating The Justice Wall.
Fel3000ft started doing graffiti art in Detroit in 1982. He was just 11 years old. According to The History of American Graffiti he was the second guy ever to paint with a spray paint can in the city.
Kids from the Bronx moved into his neighborhood. They brought hip-hop culture and graffiti art. He emulated it. A preacher’s son was too afraid to grab a spray paint can. But Fel3000ft just went for it.
He feels fortunate that a law office gave him complete creative freedom. He painted whatever he wanted on the wall. With all the injustice going on Lady Justice is important. The mural speaks of law and justice. The flowers and organic nature talk about Detroit’s origins. It is about indigenous law. The fractures show the inner workings. Gears represent identity. Floral patterns pay homage to Detroit. Eternal flames on the scales symbolize the constant fight for real justice.
Law should be blind. Justice should be impartial. Are people getting what they are supposed to? If you worry about getting pulled over because you are African American is that justice? We have to level the playing field.
Fel3000ft likes to leave a message with his art. It helps strengthen the narrative. It causes more conversation between people. He wants to give people an emotion to take with them. This should spark conversations around kitchen tables. That is where change really happens.
One of his favorite murals is Hopcat. In 2012 nobody really took notice of his art. Hopcat gave him an opportunity to really swing for the stands. The Hopcat piece is about identity. People said Detroit was beautiful but broken. Underneath you see the gears and working parts of Detroit. You find out how beautiful it really is. He stayed in Detroit believing this day would happen.
The Hopcat piece tells a story about the fight between the mother of invention and Mother Nature. He saw trees growing through houses. The Motor City builds everything. Yet Mother Nature reclaims. It is about people struggling to bring back a city they love. Hopcat invested in the heart of the city.
Fel3000ft realized there is always room for growth. Now we have to talk about gentrification. How do we help people who put their roots here? How do we keep them safe? How do we make sure their rights aren’t infringed on?
After George Floyd it is time to talk about the way we see people. Everyone should get the same benefits and rights. Detroit has been receptive to his narratives.