At first glance, these paintings and sculptures might seem like normal works of art, but take a closer look — and you’ll find within them bits and pieces of an object that’s at the center of a national debate.
Art of Peace is an exhibit whose works repurpose metal from unwanted guns and turn it into art. It’s the culmination of a year’s worth of organizing, by the Robby Poblete Foundation, led by executive director Pati Navalta.
“When people hear the name Robby Poblete, I don’t want them to associate that with gun violence, I want them to associate that with a foundation that helped change lives and save lives.”
In 2014, Pati’s 23-year-old son Robby Poblete was killed by gun violence in their hometown of Vallejo, California, in what police believe was an apparent robbery. Four suspects are set to face a jury in September.
