Reuse

Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

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July 7, 2010

For artist Al Farrow, guns and bullets are tools for creation rather than destruction — and the medium for poignant statements about the relationship between religion and war.

Al Farrow Synagogue II 1047 45 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

“The man has a gun, he knows how to use it,” trills Lou Reed in his song, “The Gun” — lyrics that are brought to mind by Al Farrow’s gun sculptures. Yet, while Brooklyn-born artist Al Farrow uses the weapon to very different ends than the man with the gun on Reed’s 1982 album, The Blue Mask, there’s no question he’s got a good aim.

Al Farrow Menorah III 776 45 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

Farrow uses guns and other military paraphernalia to reconstruct churches, mosques and synagogues. By bringing together symbols of war and religion in this way, he refers to the complex and sometimes absurd relationship between war and faith.

Al Farrow Installation view of solo exhibition de Young Muse 1200 45 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

No jingoist, Farrow’s interest in guns is, he says, “with their function and use. It is the ubiquitous presence, seeming necessity and actual accessibility of guns in our culture that inspires my investigation.”

Al Farrow Mausoleum II 1046 45 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

With his sculptures formed from guns, bullets, shot, steel and miscellaneous antique artifacts, he has been amazed at the availability of gun-related materials.

Al Farrow The Spine and Tooth of Santo Guerro detail 1197 45 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

Farrow, who has lived in San Francisco Bay area for more than 30 years, addresses with his sculptures of religious reliquaries the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East between Jews and Arabs.

Al Farrow Trigger Finger VI 119 904 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

The beauty in his work reflects the tension between the ethereal, beautiful façades of religious edifices and the atrocities committed in the name of God.

Al Farrow The Spine and Tooth of Santo Guerro 777 45 Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons

Visit Al Farrow’s website here. Thanks to Catherine Clark Gallery for the images appearing in this article.

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2 Responses to “Religious Icons Created from Recycled Weapons”

  1. Art and religion | An American Atheist

    July 10th, 2010

    [...] it is truly made of — a poignant criticism of religion indeed.  You can see more of his work here and at his website http://www.alfarrow.com/. Share [...]

  2. World’s Strangest | Swords into Plowshares: Peaceful Weapon Recycling

    November 9th, 2010

    [...] artist Al Farrow uses guns, bullets, and other military items to construct religious buildings in miniature: churches, synagogues, and mosques, as well as full size religious items and symbols, such as [...]

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