Darren Siwes
'The Just and the Unjust'
Plato's book "The Republic" promulgates hierarchical separation and division between the classes in order to maintain a pure 'Just' republic. Plato uses Gold, Silver and Bronze as an allegory for each of the classes. According to Plato, if Royalty and Clergy (Gold class) strictly preserve this division then they will continue to remain the only ones enlightened, if enlightened they alone will lead justly and any decisions they make must be 'Just'. In contrast to the 'Just', that is those deemed as grossly 'unjust' (particularly those who have engaged in criminal activity), may have their 'Mug Shot' taken and forever recorded. It is interesting to me that the side profile of the Queen of Australia adorns our coins. As she is considered Royalty is it allowable for me to liken this profile as a mug shot? And for 'Her Majesty' to be viewed as 'Unjust'? Or can dichotomy exist particularly in light of current conspiracy theories regarding Lady Diana's death?
In this current body of work I aim to elicit imagination and new fictitious (or non-fictitious) dialogue regarding justice. I also am interested in eliciting dialogue regarding the rigidity of divisional lines (whether real or imaginary) in class or culture, and perhaps encourage them to go beyond their boundaries to allow their imagination to explore new thoughts and ideas.
Darren completed his Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honours at the South Australian School of Art in 1997. In 2000 he won the prestigious Gordon & Anne Samstag Scholarship, which enabled him to complete a Master of Fine Arts at the Chelsea School of Art in London. He is currently represented by the Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide; the Nellie Castan Gallery, Melbourne and the Magnan Gallery, New York. He is widely collected and has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
The Just and the Unjust, 2007
