A tribal-inspired mask made from a rifle butt, bullets and other military equipment by Mozambican sculptor Goncalo Mabunda.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
A tribal-inspired mask made from a rifle butt, bullets and other military equipment by Mozambican sculptor Goncalo Mabunda.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
A mask from Goncalo Mabunda's recent exhibition in London. Gallery owner Jack Bell says the work references traditional African art, as well as European modernist pioneers such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
A mask from Goncalo Mabunda's recent exhibition in London. Gallery owner Jack Bell says the work references traditional African art, as well as European modernist pioneers such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
The masks, which Bell said were "well received" by London art fans, are a new direction for Mabunda.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
The masks, which Bell said were "well received" by London art fans, are a new direction for Mabunda.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
The works are made from guns, bullets and other military equipment recovered from the community under a program run by the Christian Council of Mozambique.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
The works are made from guns, bullets and other military equipment recovered from the community under a program run by the Christian Council of Mozambique.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
So far the program has recovered more than 800,000 weapons left behind from two wars in Mozambique's recent history. The country's civil war ended in 1992.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
So far the program has recovered more than 800,000 weapons left behind from two wars in Mozambique's recent history. The country's civil war ended in 1992.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
Mabunda, who has exhibited in Paris, Tokyo and Dusseldorf, is best known for his chairs, or "thrones," representing power.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
Mabunda, who has exhibited in Paris, Tokyo and Dusseldorf, is best known for his chairs, or "thrones," representing power.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
As well as having an aesthetic value, Mabunda's work serves a practical purpose -- removing weapons from circulation and rendering them inoperable.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
As well as having an aesthetic value, Mabunda's work serves a practical purpose -- removing weapons from circulation and rendering them inoperable.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery
Mabunda, who was exposed to weaspons before he could read or write through an uncle who was a soldier, says he wants to do remove guns from the social landscape of his country.
Goncalo Mabunda: Mozambican sculptor —
Mabunda, who was exposed to weaspons before he could read or write through an uncle who was a soldier, says he wants to do remove guns from the social landscape of his country.
Courtesy of Jack Bell Gallery