Andrew Scott
“Gavel” by Andrew F. Scott is a 31 foot steel gavel and sound block located in the south reflecting pool outside the Supreme Court of Ohio. The sculpture is constructed entirely from stainless steel and it is the largest gavel in the world. “Gavel” was commissioned in 2008 by the Ohio State Bar Association for the price of $200,000. Scott's massive rendition of the symbolic tool of the judge is charged with notions about the omnipotence of the judiciary. Early renderings of the artwork appear to include the phrase “NO JUSTICE NO PEACE” inscribed along the base of the sound block. The rallying cry was first documented in 1986 at the protest against the murder of Michael Griffith, a 23 year old Trinidadian man who was run over after a white mob attacked him and his friends. The phrase is still commonly used at protests against racial injustice to this day and could have been placed on the sound block to function as a reminder to those in power of their responsibility to rule justly. Although the phrase is absent from the finished piece, the overwhelming gavel made by an African American man continues to serve as a symbolic reminder to the Ohio Supreme Court to uphold justice for all and protect society’s most vulnerable.
Andrew F. Scott is a multimedia artist and sculptor whose work falls at the intersection of digital fabrication technologies, traditional fine arts practices, and collective cultural ideals. He finds much of his inspiration from African American art and culture and views his work through the spirit of “Sankofa,” a word in the Twi language of Ghana that literally translates to "go back and get it." Metaphorically, “Sankofa” expresses the importance of reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress. “Through synthesis, manipulation, and abstraction, [Scott] reinterpret[s] these traditional forms and ideas and bring[s] them into a modern context.” Scott’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
Visit “Gavel” outside of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
145 S Front St
Columbus, OH 43215
Franklin County
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
ArtsinOhio.com is your one-stop resource for arts, festivals and cultural events throughout the Buckeye State. And, even better, it’s free!