Liberia-based Fyrkuna Metalworks is transforming decommissioned weapons from the West African country's long civil war into whimsical sculptures.
When guns fall silent —
Liberia-based Fyrkuna Metalworks is transforming decommissioned weapons from the West African country's long civil war into whimsical sculptures.
Fyrkuna Metalworks
Decommissioned AK-47s, RPG launchers and bazookas are all cut and welded into intricate sculptures.
When guns fall silent —
Decommissioned AK-47s, RPG launchers and bazookas are all cut and welded into intricate sculptures.
Fyrkuna Metalworks
Manfred Zbrzezny, an artistic designer and trained blacksmith who's honed his skills in Italy and Germany, is the founder of Fyrkuna Metalworks. He moved permanently to Liberia in 2005.
When guns fall silent —
Manfred Zbrzezny, an artistic designer and trained blacksmith who's honed his skills in Italy and Germany, is the founder of Fyrkuna Metalworks. He moved permanently to Liberia in 2005.
Cameron Zohoori, TogetherLiberia.org
He first worked with weapons scrap in 2007, when he was asked to create a banister for a riverside restaurant in Monrovia.
When guns fall silent —
He first worked with weapons scrap in 2007, when he was asked to create a banister for a riverside restaurant in Monrovia.
Cameron Zohoori, TogetherLiberia.org
From them on, he started working with discarded objects of violence to develop anything from furniture and bookends to school bells and bottle openers.
When guns fall silent —
From them on, he started working with discarded objects of violence to develop anything from furniture and bookends to school bells and bottle openers.
Fyrkuna Metalworks
Fyrkuna is also behind the "Tree of Peace," a massive sculpture that's been on display in Monrovia's Providence Island since 2011.
When guns fall silent —
Fyrkuna is also behind the "Tree of Peace," a massive sculpture that's been on display in Monrovia's Providence Island since 2011.
Fyrkuna Metalworks
"What was an instrument of suffering can become something beautiful and useful," says Zbrzezny.
When guns fall silent —
"What was an instrument of suffering can become something beautiful and useful," says Zbrzezny.
Fyrkuna Metalworks
The company says they want convince the United Nations mission in Liberia to give them their weapons scrap so they can expand their work.
When guns fall silent —
The company says they want convince the United Nations mission in Liberia to give them their weapons scrap so they can expand their work.
Fyrkuna Metalworks