ART TO DISARM 2025
ART TO DISARM 2025
“Unveiling the Tensions Between Beauty, Conflict, and Capitalism"
FEBRUARY 6TH - FEBRUARY 20TH
VENUE: HOFA Gallery, Mayfair
11 Bruton St, London W1J 6PY
GRAND OPENING: 6TH FEBRUARY / GUEST LIST
PUBLIC VIEWING: 7TH FEBRUARY - 20TH FEBRUARY 2025
Butterfly wings - Aluminium edition
Black Swallowtail
2025
1/3
60”x40”
Aluminium Mounted
Electric Blue Morpho
2025
1/3
60”x40”
Aluminium Mounted
Emerald SWallowtail
2025
1/3
60”x40”
Aluminium Mounted
Vibrant Reflections: The Beauty of Nature in Focus
Bran's Butterfly Wing Photography on Aluminium
Discover the mesmerising beauty of nature captured in stunning detail , a breathtaking photographic body of work by Bran. Shot with a macro lens, these vibrant, close-up images of butterfly wings reveals intricate textures and iridescent hues of blue, transforming the delicate natural pattern into a dynamic, larger-than-life work of art. The photograph is mounted on a sleek aluminium sheet, giving it a modern, reflective quality that enhances the visual depth and vibrancy of the piece.
Bran's unique approach to photographing the intricate details of butterfly wings brings a fresh perspective to nature photography. Every tiny detail—each delicate scale, each shimmering fold—becomes an arresting visual experience, transforming any space into an immersive environment. The piece's vivid colors and sophisticated composition invite contemplation, offering a striking contrast between the organic and the refined.
This extraordinary work will be displayed for the first time during Bran's solo exhibition at the prestigious HOFA Gallery in Mayfair, London. Opening on February 6th with a grand reception, the exhibition will continue to captivate audiences from February 7th to 19th.
Framed Edition with original butterfly
Black Swallowtail - framed
2025
1/1
20” x 30”
Archival Paper
Embellished with original butterfly
Framed - Black
Electric blue Morpho - framed
2025
1/1
20” x 30”
Archival Paper
Embellished with original butterfly
Framed - Black
Emerald SWallowtail - framed
2025
1/1
20” x 30”
Archival Paper
Embellished with original butterfly
Framed - Black
This series features three striking photographic prints, each printed on premium archival paper and meticulously framed to preserve the beauty of both the image and the butterfly. What makes these pieces truly exceptional is the presence of the original butterfly, delicately placed in the corner of each frame. This addition creates a profound connection between the photographic journey and the natural subject.
The detailed macro photography of the butterfly's wing captures the iridescent textures and vivid colors with an unparalleled sense of scale and depth, while the real butterfly serves as a tangible link to the subject—bringing the photograph to life in a way that no print alone can. This union of nature and art offers a stunning narrative: the journey from the delicate flutter of the butterfly’s wings to the captured moment of transformation on archival paper.
Mounted behind non-reflective glass, these pieces exude a sense of opulence and refinement, ensuring that every intricate detail is visible without distraction. With only one of each print available, this limited edition series offers a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity for collectors. Each piece is as unique as the butterfly it features, making it an invaluable addition to any art collection.
AK-47’s
BRUTAL to Beautiful
2025
1/1
33” x 12”
Deactivated Short-Barrelled Gold AK-47
Embellished with gold-leafed butterflies and preserved butterfly species
Hand-made 7.62mm Glass Bullets:
Platinum
Pearls
Ruby’s
Diamonds
Emeralds
Gold
Sapphires
Silver
Morpho origami (WM)
2025
1/1
47” x 19”
Deactivated AK-47
Wall-mounted piece embellished with dollar origami butterflies and preserved butterfly species
Hand-made 7.62mm Glass Bullets:
Sand
Cherry Blossom
Plastic
Wheat
Oil
Honey
Coral
beat of a wing
2025
1/1
33” x 12”
Deactivated Short-Barrelled AK-47
Embellished with preserved butterfly species
Hand-made 7.62mm Glass Bullets:
Sugar
Lapis Lazuli
Peridot
Pearls & Shells
Luminous Powder
Rubies & Sapphires
Snake Skin
lost innocence
2025
1/1
48” x 12”
Deactivated AK-47
Embellished with resin love heart sweets and resin hundreds and thousands
Hand-made 7.62mm Glass Bullets:
Three Origami Doves:
Money
Pearls
Sweet Wrapper
Diamonds
Milk Bottle
Sand
wings of resilience
2025
1/1
48” x 12”
Deactivated AK-47
Embellished with currency and preserved green Swallowtail butterflies
Hand-made 7.62mm Glass Bullets:
Soil
Blood
Poppy Seeds
Diamonds
Oil
Cocaine
morpho origami Classic
2025
1/1
48” x 12”
Deactivated AK-47
Embellished with dollar origami butterflies and preserved butterfly species
Hand-made 7.62mm Glass Bullets:
Oil
Honey
Coral
Poppy Seeds
Plastic
Cherry Blossom
Sculptures
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Gold Skorpion - VZ 61 Sub-Machine Gun
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Explosively Delicate - Blue Butterfly Grenade Sculpture
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Explosively Delicate - Green Butterfly Grenade Sculpture
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STING IN THE TAIL - VZ 61 Sub Machine Gun
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Flight or Fight - Bronze Grenade - Edition 1
GOLD SKORPion
A real deactivated Skorpion VZ 61 submachine gun, once an instrument of destruction, now transformed into a breathtaking work of art. Embellished with real butterflies and gold-leafed wings, this deadly relic is encased within a stunning vintage glass dome dating back to the 1800s.
Surrounding the weapon, hand-crafted glass bullets hold rare gemstones, each carrying a powerful meaning. Turquoise for protection, blue topaz for wisdom, diamonds for resilience, carnelian for courage, aventurine for opportunity, and rose quartz for love.
This one-of-a-kind piece juxtaposes the raw power of man-made weaponry with the delicate beauty of nature and the enduring strength of the earth’s treasures. A true collector’s masterpiece, where history, artistry, and symbolism collide.
2025
Edition: 1 of 1
Medium: Deactivated Skorpion VZ 61 submachine gun. Embellished with gold-leafed butterflies and preserved butterfly species. Encased in an antique glass display circa 1800.
Hand-made glass bullets containing precious and semi-precious stones.
The process - Macro PHOTOGRAPHY
Each butterfly in Bran's collection is ethically sourced from butterfly specialists and carefully preserved to maintain its natural beauty after its short, three-day lifespan. Bran captures the essence of these delicate creatures using a macro lens, showcasing their intricate details and vibrant colors.
Once the photographic print is created and passes rigorous quality control on premium archival paper, the original butterfly is delicately placed in the corner of the frame. This unique addition establishes a powerful connection between the fluttering life of the butterfly and its captured moment of stillness, allowing the viewer to experience the full journey of the creature.
The finished piece is mounted in a float mount frame and enclosed behind non-reflective glass, ensuring a pristine view of the artwork without distractions. This edition is a one-of-one, making each piece a truly unique and irreplaceable work of art.
POWER OF SIGHT
Bran is a visionary artist whose thought-provoking works challenge societal norms and inspire critical reflection. His creative journey spans multiple mediums, including sculpture, photography, and immersive installations, all of which explore the intricate relationship between humanity, capitalism, conflict, and the environment.
Known for his signature AK-47 sculptures adorned with real butterflies and currency, Bran’s art juxtaposes beauty with destruction, creating powerful symbols that invite viewers to question the systems that shape our world. His work is both unsettling and mesmerizing, blending artistic mastery with profound social critique.
Bran’s work and inspiration are deeply rooted in his experiences as a British Army soldier and war photographer journalist. Having served in Afghanistan and stationed in Iraq as a war reportage photographer, Bran documented the harsh realities of conflict.
His body of work, featuring photographs taken while serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, became the foundation of his artistic career. These powerful images culminated in the acclaimed exhibition The Best View of Heaven is from Hell, which received outstanding feedback from the art photography industry. This pivotal moment inspired Bran to create art from deactivated weapons, drawing directly from his photographs of soldiers holding decorative AK-47s.
A highlight of Bran’s London exhibit this February is his groundbreaking living installation, The Colony, which features a colony of leaf-cutting ants transporting fragments of dollar bills across his iconic AK-47 sculpture. This evocative piece draws parallels between human labour, capitalism’s demands, and the environmental toll of unchecked economic systems.
In addition to his AK-47 sculptural works, Bran’s photographic series, such as Renaissance: Dead or Alive, showcase his keen eye for detail and narrative depth. By juxtaposing vibrant organic life with enduring symbols of conflict, Bran’s photography captures the ephemeral beauty of nature against the backdrop of human-made permanence.
Bran’s previous solo show in 2021 was a sell-out, further cementing his reputation as a leading contemporary artist. Since then, he has exhibited internationally in Dubai, Ibiza, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, where his work made headlines.
Bran’s work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries, captivating audiences with its bold narratives and striking visual impact. Committed to engaging with his audience, Bran often makes time during public exhibitions to discuss his artistic vision and answer questions, offering a deeper understanding of his thought-provoking creations.
For inquiries or to learn more about Bran’s upcoming projects and exhibitions, please contact info@arttodisarm.com
AK-47 Sculptures
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BRUTAL TO BEAUTIFUL - AK47 Sculpture
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Morpho origami - AK47 Sculpture
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Wings of resilience - AK47 Sculpture
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Beat of a Wing Draco - AK47 Sculpture
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Lost Innocence - AK47 Sculpture
Contact
Contact
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