A collection of artists as diverse as those involved with the new AKA Peace exhibition should be used to handling unusual materials and objects in their work.
But even the likes of Damien Hirst, Angel Of The North creator Anthony Gormley and controversial artist Sarah Lucas have never worked with an AK-47 before - the rifles used by soldiers in conflict across the world.
However, to mark Peace One Day, award-winning war photographer Bran Symondson has gathered his artistic troops to redefine weaponry into pieces of beautiful and provocative art.
This photo shows an AK-47 which has had an artistic transformation
AKA Peace is curated by Jake Chapman, and will feature the work of Charming Baker, the Chapman Brothers, Mat Colishaw, Jeremy Deller, Sam Taylor-Wood, Gary Hume and Gavin Turk, amongst others in a starry line-up of creative talent.
We've got some of the work and pictures of the artists with their guns below. What do you think - can art really make a difference?
Tim and Sue Webster
Jake Chapman
Damian Hirst's Gun
Anthony Gormley's gun
Gavin Turk
Bran Symondson
Bran Simondson with transformed gun
Salonge Azagury Partridge
Charming Baker
AKA Peace will be on at The Institute of Contemporary Art from 26 - 30 September
Meanwhile this week in Culture...
3 - 9 December
The Bodyguard (REVIEW): Whitney Houston's Talent Lives On <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/06/the-bodyguard-review_n_2250701.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Men Who Stole £500k Henry Moore Sculpture 'The Sundial' To Sell For £46 To Be Sentenced <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/16/head-of-a-young-apostle-auction_n_2143102.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Kraftwerk To Play Complete Studio Albums At Tate Modern <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/05/kraftwerk-to-play-complete-albums-tate-modern_n_2244155.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
2012's Best Light Art In Pictures <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/05/2012-best-light-art-in-pictures_n_2244115.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Cultural Icon Of The Year 2012: Vote Now <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/04/cultural-icon-of-the-year-2012_n_2237555.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
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3 - 9 December
Jeff Goldblum On His World Of Dreams And Latest Wes Anderson Project <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/08/jeff-goldblum-old-vic_n_2262297.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Elizabeth Price Wins The Turner Prize 2012 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/03/elizabeth-price-turner-prize-winner-2012_n_2233334.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
Incredible Close-Up Snowflake Photography (PICTURES) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/06/snowflake-photography_n_2249606.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
3 - 9 December
GDT European Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2012 (PICTURES) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/07/environment-wildlife-gdt-_n_2256146.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
CS Lewis Facts: 11 Things You Never Knew About The Narnia Author <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/29/cs-lewis-narnia-facts-_n_2209399.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-books">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Yoko Ono's New Fashion Line Shows Bums, Raises Eyebrows <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/29/yoko-ono-fashion-_n_2210350.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Pippa Middleton's Book Celebrate 'Is Terrible' Says Riders Author Jilly Cooper <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/04/pippa-middleton-book-celebrate-terrible-riders-author-jilly-cooper_n_2236482.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Evening Standard Theatre Awards: Danny Boyle, Dame Judi Dench and Hattie Morahan Triumph <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/26/evening-standard-theatre-awards-2012_n_2190421.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-theatre">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Tracey Emin Blog: Never Knew a Horse Could Be So Good for Your Soul <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/tracey-emin/tracey-emin-a-long-way-from-home_b_2192187.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Making A Splash: Water Balloon Art Just Got A Make-Over <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/05/water-balloon-art-just-go_n_2243259.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Frida Kahlo Clothing Exhibition Opens In Mexico City <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/27/frida-kahlo-clothing-exhibition_n_2197314.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Photographer Brian David Stevens' 'Graffiti Portraits' Reveals People Behind The Tags (PICTURES) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/26/brian-david-stevens-graffiti-portraits_n_2190269.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-photography">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
Male Nudes Exhibition To Open At Wallace Collection (PICTURES) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/28/male-nudes-exhibition-wallace_n_2202479.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 November - 2 December
William Blake's Mad Wisdom To Celebrate The Great Poet's Birthday <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/28/william-blake-quote_n_2202721.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-arts">READ FULL STORY</a>
19 November - 25 November
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/16/head-of-a-young-apostle-auction_n_2143102.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
19 November - 25 November
9 November - 16 November
Photograph, Or Painting? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/14/robin-eley-hyperrealistic-paintings_n_2127538.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
First Fashion Photographs Of Kate Moss, Aged 14, To Be Sold At Auction <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/12/kate-moss-first-fashion-shots_n_2116174.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
'Head Of A Young Apostle' By Raphael To Sell For £15m At Auction <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/16/head-of-a-young-apostle-auction_n_2143102.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Street Artist Bambi Opens Solo Show In London <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/15/bambi-street-artist-solo-show_n_2136279.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Death Exhibition Opens At Wellcome Collection <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/15/death-wellcome-collection_n_2135588.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
World Press Photo Contest Winners On Show At Southbank Centre <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/13/world-press-photo-contest-winners-2012_n_2122410.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Dorothy Bohm Interview: 'I Remember Every Photograph I Take' <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/15/dorothy-bohm-interview_n_2137660.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Urban Masters: Banksy, Shepard Fairey And Blek Le Rat Share Street Art Show In London <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/13/urban-masters-street-art-show_n_2121406.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
What Inspires Me: Judy Chicago <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/12/judy-chicago-interview_n_2117721.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
9 November - 16 November
Where The Mangrove Grows (REVIEW): Joe Hammond's Heartbreaking Portrait Of Neglect <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/12/where-the-mangrove-grows_n_2118923.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Sienna Miller Naked Portrait: Artist Jonathan Yeo Paints Pregnant Actress <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/sienna-miller-naked-portrait_n_2084975.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
What Inspires Me: Charlie Brooker <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/charlie-brooker-interview-2012-romney-books-black-mirror_n_2082614.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Forests (REVIEW): Calixto Bieito Condenses The Spirit Of Shakespeare With Nudity And Violence <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/07/naked-shakespeare-forests-review_n_2087315.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Andy Golub's Body Paint: Naked Wanderers And Surreal Human Murals <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/08/andy-golub-body-paint-art_n_2092618.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Henry Moore's Draped Seated Woman Sold Off By Tower Hamlets Council To Meet Budget Cuts <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/08/henry-moore-sculpture-sold-london_n_2091431.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
How One Charity Is Tackling Complex Mental Health Problems Using The Simple Power Of Reading <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/05/reading-as-therapy-reader-organisation_n_2076568.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture"> READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
How Culture Is Changing The Face Of Belfast <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/08/belfast-culture-weekend-change_n_2091527.html?ref=topbar">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Tiny Ripples Look Like Giant Tidal Waves In DebM's 'Waveart' (PICTURES) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/waveart-pictures_n_2084948.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Obama Art: Paintings, Sculptures And Comics Inspired By President Barack Obama <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/obama-art_n_2081252.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
2 November - 9 November
Spencer Tunick Marks Mexico's Day Of The Dead With Usual Battalion Of Nudes (PICTURES) <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/06/spencer-tunick-marks-mexicos-day-of-the-dead-with-usual-battalion-of-nudes-pictures_n_2082180.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
26 October - 2 November 2012
'Jimmy Savile Is Innocent' Exhibition Under Fire For Sexualised Picture Of Young Girl <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/26/jimmy-savile-innocent-art-show_n_2021509.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-culture">READ FULL STORY</a>
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The Huffington Post UK | By Alice E. Vincent Posted: 26/09/2012 08:50 Updated: 26/09/2012 08:50