Sandra Bromley facts for kids

Sandra Bromley RCA is a Canadian artist known for her powerful artwork. She creates art that speaks out against war and violence. Her most famous work is the Gun Sculpture, which she made with Wallis Kendal. Sandra's art has even been shown at important places like the United Nations and at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Sandra Bromley earned her university degree in art from the University of Alberta in 1979. In 1997, she helped start iHuman Youth Society with Wallis Kendal. This group helps young people in Edmonton who might be facing tough times. In 2012, Sandra was recognized for her art and became a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. She also received the Queen's Jubilee Medal that same year.

The Amazing Gun Sculpture

Sandra Bromley and her partner Wallis Kendal created a huge art piece called The Gun Sculpture. This sculpture weighs five tonnes, which is like five small cars! It was first shown in Edmonton in early 2000. Building it took two years.

The idea for the sculpture came from the iHuman 2000 Peace Initiative. Money to build it came from the Canadian Millennium Bureau and the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs. Many private people also donated money.

What is the Gun Sculpture?

The sculpture is made from 7,000 weapons that can no longer be used. These include things like landmines, machine-guns, and knives. They were given to the artists by people in Canada and other countries. The sculpture is big enough to walk inside. It looks a bit like a prison cell.

Inside, there are also videos and pictures. These show people who have been hurt by war or violence, like domestic abuse. A report from the UN said the sculpture helps people understand how weapons affect regular people, including children. It makes us think about violence and how we can help create a more peaceful world.

Where the Sculpture Has Been

Since it was first shown, The Gun Sculpture has traveled all over the world. It was at the Expo 2000 world's fair in Hanover, Germany. It has also been shown at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York City. You could see it at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. It was even part of the Nobel Peace Prize celebration in Seoul, South Korea.