The Jurors by Hew Locke

A Circle of Justice at Runnymede

On the open meadow of Runnymede, where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, Hew Locke’s 'The Jurors' stands as a bold, contemporary response to that foundational moment. Commissioned for the 800th anniversary, the work consists of ten life-size bronze chairs arranged in a circle, their backs turned outward, surrounding a single empty seat at the centre. This deliberate emptiness is central to the piece: it represents the ongoing, unfinished nature of justice, and the space that each of us must step into to uphold rights and fairness. The chairs are not static monuments; they are places to sit, to think, to speak, making the artwork both a memorial and an invitation to participation.

Symbolism Woven into Bronze

Each chair is richly decorated with carvings, patterns and objects that speak to histories of power, resistance, trade and identity. You’ll find references to the Caribbean, Britain and beyond: sugar canes, chains, ships, crowns, flags, maps, musical instruments, and motifs drawn from African, Indigenous and colonial visual cultures. These layered symbols reflect Locke’s long-standing interest in how nations construct their identities through imagery, and how those same images can be reclaimed or reinterpreted. The work doesn’t offer a single narrative; instead, it presents a complex, sometimes contradictory, tapestry of histories that continue to shape ideas of law and liberty today.

Art, History and the Public Realm

'The Jurors' is more than a sculpture; it’s a site of public discourse. By placing it on Runnymede, Locke connects the medieval charter with modern struggles for equality, human rights and social justice. The circular arrangement echoes both a jury and a gathering of elders, suggesting that justice is not the domain of a single authority but a collective responsibility. The work encourages visitors to walk among the chairs, to sit in them, to notice the details up close, and to consider what justice means in their own lives and communities. It’s a rare example of public art that is both monumental and intimate, intellectually rigorous and emotionally resonant.

Experiencing the Work Today

The sculpture is sited in a peaceful, open landscape, with views across the Thames and the surrounding parkland. This setting amplifies its contemplative quality: the rustle of grass, the flight of birds, the changing light across the bronze surfaces all become part of the experience. There are no barriers or fences; the chairs are accessible and meant to be engaged with. Whether you come for a brief visit or spend time sitting and reflecting, 'The Jurors' offers a powerful encounter with history, art and the enduring questions of fairness and freedom. It’s a place that feels both timeless and urgently relevant, where the past and present meet in a circle of bronze.