If, for whatever reason, you have never visited Royal Armouries, you might think about taking the opportunity whilst this particular exhibition is still running.
It is a fantastically beautiful collection of firearms, some of which are quite bold and startling, others intricately decorated by craftsmen, with elaborate detailing and finishes.
Through the ages and still today, guns have been embellished – plated in gold, covered in diamonds and intricately etched. Such arms are used to work towards peace, given as love tokens and bestowed as gifts from nation to nation.
Peace campaigner, sculptor, artist and photographer Bran Symondson-Baxter‘s work in the exhibition has attracted a lot of attention, including the Butterfly Gun and Love Heart gun.
The exhibition asks visitors to consider the symbolism of guns as they also view iconic objects from the Royal Armouries’ collection.
Curator Jonathan Ferguson talks about one of the exhibits The Baby Browning: Art Deco magnificence. With firearms and weaponry expert Jonathan Ferguson. (youtube.com)
There remains a difficult question for audiences: Why attempt to beautify such potentially deadly weapons? Perhaps if you visit, you’ll find the answer.
Free entry
OPENING TIMES
Term-time: to 24 May
Open Tuesday to Sunday
10am to 5pm
6 May Bank Holiday
10am to 5pm
School Holiday: 25 May to 2 June
Open daily
10am to 5pm
Armouries Drive
Leeds
LS10 1LT
United Kingdom
Find out more here.
Main image: Bran Symondson-Baxter’s Butterfly Gun.
