I found creative artists who uses guns in a way that is not used for killing. These artists used their creative licenses to make guns into masterpieces from the destructive weapons everyone see them as. Guns are wasted as killing machines and can be used for something else, so I feel that guns should be banned until a major crisis happens. Only military should have access to guns under a good/fair controlled system. Just for now, put it the gun down and make art. Artists from North America and other places of the world can agree with me on making guns into art. These artists that I have found are great examples for fighting against gun violence.
Pedro Reyes is an artist from Mexico who has broke the record for most citizen giving guns to him voluntary. In return, donators’ get coupons to use at local stores. He is not a member of law enforcement and don’t ask any questions on why the citizens have the gun. He is an artist fighting for a cause which is to stop gun violence. Reyes then forges the guns into something else more useful that used not for killing. The guns are melt down to create something unique. He made instruments out of gun parts for art against gun violence. I founded a guitar Reyes made from guns parts donated to him. In 2007, he began “Palas por Pistolas” or “Shovels for guns”. The project made it debut in TV-ads showing the dangers of having a gun. The collected guns of 1,527 from citizens were forged into gardening tools to use for home gardens. In addition, Pedro created shovels for a bigger project. He next move was to organized a tree planting project accessed to the public. Pedro Reyes’ shovels have been displayed in art museums as a statement against gun violence. A statement of life over death. To read more copy and paste the links to go to these websites.
Website link: https://www.opendemocracy.net/transformation/marguerite-ward/from-guns-to-gardening-ending-illegal-arms-trade%20%20%20
Lin Evola created the “Angel of Peace” sculptures as art against gun violence. Evola also founded the “Peace Angels Project” in California. She token the term of “using art as a tool for peace”. Evola founded her art cause in 1992. Her angels can be founded in different locations of the world. Places like Los Angeles, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, and South Africa. To make her angels, she melts down guns and stainless steel cores from deactivated missiles. Moreover, Evola’s inspiration for the angels are from the artists of old. For example, from one of the renaissance art masters drawing, Raphael. Raphael drew images of angels in his artworks. She used Raphael’s ideas as inspiration in creating her own drawing to design her sculptures. Her angel sculptures are created to bring hope in ending gun violence. Angel’s are great symbols of hope and peace. They are being that enlightenment our spirits in a meaningful ways. Thus, angels are positive representations of thinking in ways of improving the world around you. The sculptures are large in scale to be displayed as symbols of peace in art museums and events. These displays show that weapons of mass destruction can be transformed into beautiful sculpture that up-lifting to the soul. Art that brings unity to humanity and not death. To read more on the project/cause copy and paste the links below.
Website links: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2011/09/up-cycling-guns-into-art/
Kaveh Adel Iranian is an American political cartoonist. He created an illustration on what the future holds if gun violence go uncheck. His website page shows the illustration presenting the scary truth of reality on what’s to come. Iranian is expressing his concerns of the topic on gun violence. Iranian is angry of what it is happening now in America. Gun violence in public schools were parent sent their children to everyday. He expresses that this shouldn’t be the norm for American youngest citizens. In the cartoon illustration, there is a child starting fourth grade. It a casual morning as two mother are conversing among each other. This is happening as one of the mothers’ child is walking towards the bus. The child is dress in protective gear while holding a shield. The mother of the child is talking to the other mother about on all the protection courses that child has taken; Mainly for self defense for example, karate classes. Having to take extra precautions just to be at school while try to remember what they learn that day. It’s a very stressful situation to put a child in. How can they focus on learning when the student feels that they are in constant danger. Iranian is trying to express that gun violence has to stop because it’s becoming out of control. Children are at school to learn and not to fear for the lives. To read more on Iranian’s feelings towards this issue copy and paste the link below.
Website link: http://kavehadel.com/blog/2014/06/political-cartoon-anytown-usa-school-bus-by-kaveh-adel-iranian-american-cartoonist/
Dark Angel Detective times 