Standing defiantly outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, a bronze revolver with its barrel twisted into a knot has silently advocated for peace since 1988. Created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd following the tragic 1980 assassination of Beatles legend John Lennon, the sculpture titled 'Non-Violence' – colloquially known as 'The Knotted Gun' – challenges visitors to reimagine a world without armed conflict.
This iconic artwork embodies the UN's founding principles of conflict prevention and disarmament. Reuterswärd's visceral response to Lennon's death transformed personal grief into a universal message, with replicas now displayed in over 30 locations worldwide. The original installation continues to serve as both a photogenic landmark for tourists and a sobering reminder for diplomats entering the UN complex.
The sculpture's enduring relevance was captured in a 2019 photograph by CGTN reporter Zhang Jin, showcasing how art bridges political and cultural divides. As geopolitical tensions persist across Asia and beyond, 'The Knotted Gun' remains a physical manifestation of humanity's collective aspiration for peaceful coexistence.
