spoils of war butterfly

"Spoils of War" explores the intricate and often sinister relationship between trade and conflict on a global scale.

Each edition of the piece is adorned with real dollar bills, symbolizing the toxic fuel that powers this cycle. The decommissioned AK-47, which has seen active service, is covered with burnt dollar bills, evoking the dirt, fumes, and corruption that lie at the heart of this interplay. The weapon is then intricately collaged with hand-cut detailing from the dollar bills, transforming the iconic object of violence into a layered commentary on power and greed.

Bran replaces the AK-47’s bullets with commodities sourced from regions plagued by conflict where the weapon itself is prevalent. Rather than neutralising the weapon, these commodities amplify its symbolism, highlighting the latent power and exploitation tied to both. The work subtly underscores the interdependence of these commodities and the weapon, portraying a destructive feedback loop where one fuels and sustains the other.

"Spoils of War" challenges viewers to reflect on this entanglement and consider their own complicity in the global systems of trade, greed, and conflict that perpetuate this cycle. The piece is both a critique and a call to awareness, confronting the enduring ties between economy and warfare.

BULLET FILLINGS:

• SOIL

• BLOOD

• POPPY SEEDS

• DIAMONDS

• OIL

• COCAINE

• IN GOD WE TRUST

• 7.62mm