MCcrow

 

Carl McCrow’s art pioneers the concept of the art of disarmament; his work is controversial, thought provoking and embraces the contradictory views that come with guns and refocuses them with a fresh perspective and a heartfelt purpose, giving them a new life as unique and provocative pieces of art.

In 2011 McCrow’s close friend lost both legs and an arm in an explosion whilst on tour in Afghanistan. It was one of the catalysts that turned a distant fascination with guns and weaponry into questions about individual purpose, morality, hidden stories and the ability of one person to make a difference.

Since then, working with governments, the UN, Police Forces and NGO’s, McCrow is on a quest to deactivate and destroy as many illicit and surplus guns, ammunition, bombs, and mines as he can. It’s a journey to understand first hand the terrible consequences of conflict and through his art, tell the unheard, human (and not so human) stories that share their past with each weapon he finds.

Guns have long had an extraordinary and terrible influence over us. There are those who glorify them, those that subjugate through them and those who suffer by them. McCrow captures this polarizing behaviour and brings the subject into the 21st century, portraying it with originality, wit, and soul.

Working with weaponry procured directly from areas of conflict and then decommissioned, McCrow wants people to look beyond their new representation to acknowledge the dark story each weapon carries with it and to challenge our sanitized view of guns.

Every artwork comes with a certificate of authenticity and unique number to confirm that the weapon has been decommissioned to British Standards and can never be used again.

View a selection of McCrow’s works below ↓

 
Featured
Screaming Zebra
Screaming Zebra

Painted AK47 mounted onto large format print
Decommissioned #AK47, removed from DRCongo
Photograph by David Yarrow
125 x 185 cm
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The Ultimate Strategy
The Ultimate Strategy

32 polished military rounds sit on a board of bone
A weapon destroyed for every bullet used
75 x 75cm
SOLD

The simplest of strategies, to eliminate your opponent. An AK47 is destroyed for every bullet used; the serial number of the weapon destroyed etched on to each bullet and the board barcoded MCCROW.

Insert Coin
Insert Coin

Space Invader made out of 60 spent military rounds on black magnetic sheet, with dimmable white neon lighting
37 x 45 x 10 cm (including wall bracket)
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Dark Art
Dark Art

Black on white paint, lacquered
The barcode scans DARK ART
Removed from DR Congo
87 x 25 cm (framed 150 x 100 cm)
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Dark Art is one of McCrow’s early pieces. The use of the barcode has become integral to McCrow’s work and is a reference to the AK47s mass production, a mind-boggling 75,000,000. The barcode scans ‘Dark Art’. Lead sits in the barrel and front cavities of the rifle to put the piece in perfect balance. This is to reflect a common struggle with weaponry; on the one hand, guns are often considered cool and exciting and on the other, abhorrent and senseless. This AK47 is approximately 30 years old. Undoubtedly responsible for a great deal of suffering; undoubtedly responsible for destroying lives. Not only from the bullets it has fired but also by the consequence of carrying such an instrument. Soldiers forced into service at almost any age, victims entirely surround this piece. It is time to begin to question the accepted commerciality of such weapons. Originating from Russia, recovered from Africa, deactivated in England, this is one less gun; this is Dark Art.

Don’t Shoot (GB)
Don’t Shoot (GB)

The Space Invader made up of 1,531 spent 556 military rounds. Digital warfare, this is where it all began in 1978; it started so innocently…
122 x 90 cm
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Air Force 1 – Nike AK47
Air Force 1 – Nike AK47

Nike Air Force One Trainers - Edition of 47

Nike logo barcoded with ‘AK47’. The base of a 7.62 x 39 mm round (bullets used in AK47s) attached to each shoe.

UK Men’s 8 available at the gallery - £975
Other sizes available, ENQUIRE HERE