BRAN SYMONDSON

Bran Symondson is a conceptual artist and photographer inspired by his experiences while serving in the Special Forces in Afghanistan. Bran turns the most prolific weapon in the world, the AK47, into engaging works of art, masterfully embellished with dollar bills, iconography and butterflies. These works rest on a simple premise: take something of fear and loathing and turn it into something of beauty and intrigue. Bran is now widely known for his installations of masterfully adorned AK-47 firearms with dollar bills, iconography & butterflies.

Symondson made headlines in 2016 when his AK-47 artworks were seized at US Customs in Texas, despite being decommissioned and despite live AK-47 assault rifles being available for sale in the US.

Following the phenomenal coverage in the press Bran’s client list now includes Sir Elton John, HRH Prince Khalifa of Bahrain, Dana White (President of UFC), John Caudwell & Jake Chapman.

Bran Symondson was the winner of the 2011 Amnesty International Media Award. His 2011 exhibition The Best View of Heaven is from Hell, featured powerful images from his time in war-torn Afghanistan which garnered much critical acclaim and saw Symondson’s work acquired by prominent international photography collectors.

In 2012 for his exhibition, AKA Peace, Symondson asked artists such as Damian Hirst, Antony Gormley, Harland Miller, Sarah Lucas, the Chapman Brothers, Marc Quinn, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Mat Collishaw to reinterpret AK-47 assault rifles, it was a complete sell out.

Bran’s work has been featured in exhibitions at the London Portrait Gallery, Saatchi Gallery, ICA, Phillips De Pury, LCD Gallery and is now represented in various galleries in London’s Mayfair.