The Knotted Gun

The sculpture "The Knotted Gun," also known as "Non-Violence," is an iconic work created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd in 1980, following the assassination of his friend John Lennon. The sculpture depicts a large Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver with its barrel tied into a complex knot, rendering the weapon unusable. This powerful and universal symbol aims to convey a clear and direct message against violence and in favor of peace. The idea originated from Reuterswärd’s pain and outrage over the tragic death of Lennon, a global peace icon, who was shot outside his home in New York. Originally conceived as a personal tribute, the work quickly became an international symbol of non-violence and hope for a world without weapons.

The sculpture is made of bronze and exists in various sizes, from small models to monumental installations displayed in public spaces around the world. The most famous version is located in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York, gifted by the Luxembourg government in 1988. Other replicas are installed in more than thirty cities, in front of museums, cultural centers, or public spaces, such as in Lyon, Beirut, Geneva, and Algeria. Each installation encourages reflection and dialogue on alternatives to violence, especially among younger generations.

The visual impact of "Non-Violence" lies in its simplicity and symbolic power: by transforming a weapon into an object incapable of harm, Reuterswärd created a visual metaphor for the possibility of defusing conflicts and choosing peace. Today, the sculpture serves as the logo for the Non-Violence Project Foundation, a non-profit organization that uses this image to promote education in peaceful conflict resolution, emotional management, and self-esteem building. Through this work, Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd succeeded in capturing the very essence of humanity’s quest for peace, turning an object of destruction into a universal call for non-violence.