[New York, NY-KOREA IT TIMES] Life’s not easy for any of us. Nobody ever said it would be. From traumatic experiences as a child to impactful moments in combat, Bran Symondson believes that in the face of adversity, humor always shines through. He has created stunning art that combines the deadly symbol of an AK47 with butterflies and other inspirational elements of nature and humankind.
Q: Could you share your experiences growing up that you believe formed you into the critically-acclaimed artist you are today?
A: The main challenge I faced growing up was not being very academically-minded. Don’t get me wrong, I loved learning but struggled at school. Holding on to information to then pass exams and all that was not easy for me. It was not until my last two years of schooling that it was discovered I had dyslexia.
Q: When would you say was your first contact with art?
A: I was very fortunate to go to a great school. It had a massive art department so my main subjects were cooking, metalwork, and art. So, that, I believe, would be my first contact with what would later shape me as the person I am today.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your family growing up and your life as a child?
A: My life went through a bit of upheaval because my mum and dad were getting divorced. Many children go through that and it is not easy for any of them. A few years later my mum divorced my stepfather, too. And that was a bit hard on me because he was loving and supportive.
Q: Was your real father important to you?
A: Well, I didn’t see my real dad from about the age of eight. However, I searched for him and when I was 30 I knocked on his door one night. That was a shock for all of us when he opened the door. When doors open from your past it has an impact on your present. I did struggle growing up without a father figure but happy to say now they are both back in my life and support me and life as an artist.
Q: Your first actual work as an artist. How did that come about for you?
A: My artistic career began in photography. I worked with prominent photographers. David La Chapelle, Nadav Kander, and Gavin Bond. I did portraitures. I actually received my first prize in 2003, the Schweppes Photographic Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery.
Q: At what point in your life did you decide the military was for you and why?
A: I was 34 years and doing photography but I was feeling it was vacuous. And actually, I had always been fascinated with the military and so decided to give it a go and test myself. I went to an open day and signed up. They said I was too old, which disappointed me and as I was walking away I was approached by a guy who said that it seemed I was keen on joining and asked me ‘why don’t you come and speak with us?’ It was the UKSFR, UK Special Forces Reserve. I had some interviews and then started the selection process. Ended up being a massive commitment that changed my life.
Q: Was joining difficult? We’ve all heard stories of how hard Bootcamp is?
A: Well, yes, it is very intense. We trained solidly for four months prior to deployment. Contact drills, live-fire, fast-roping from helicopters, vehicle drills, full medical training, Every aspect was covered. The training was very intense but it helped a lot and was only made aware of that when we hit the ground in Afghanistan. What I also feel was a great help being reservists were we could all pull on our experience from our normal jobs to do our jobs as soldiers better. We were very aware the local Taliban noticed we were not to be fucked with, our patrol skills, weapon systems, how we handled situations were very different from the other regiments who had been there previously. However, we learned a lot from the previous regiments.
Q: The main takeaways from your time as a Special Forces soldier for the UK’s Royal Army?
A: I feel it helped me with my self-confidence. It helped me become a better person. The brotherhood I experienced in the military is something all military and ex-military will always refer to and say they miss. I am still in constant communication with the guys I was in Afghanistan. They are my extended family. Knowing, trusting someone who has your ‘6’ and will be selfless in their actions for you is something we all value and will never forget. The constant pursuit of excellence was part of our regimental ethos. Constantly having in my to be the best you can in your field and with your loved ones.
Q: Are there any drawbacks to being in the military?
A: No, of course not, although it can be a sort of a double-edged sword sometimes because you are never quite content, so that is a bit of a drawback but also the constant force forward.
Q: Times at war must be hard, impactful, maybe even shocking.
A: Well, you’re right. There’s definitely no shortage of impactful moments but all of them have certainly shaped me as a man. The actual environment had a massive impact on me as a photographer as well. It was overwhelming. I think the greatest and saddest impact on me and the other guys was losing four of our brothers out there. They were killed by IEDs. Their memory lives on in us.
Q: There must also be moments that are all unforgettable for other reasons, right?
A: It’s a surprise to many but when in the face of adversity humor always shines through. I remember laughing with the guys in some pretty dark moments and that laughter got us through some really tough times. We still meet every year to walk up to the memorial stone in the Brecon Beacons to remember those brothers we lost in war. I also especially remember the fields and poppy fields where opium is extracted. Ironic, as the poppy is used on remembrance day here in the United Kingdom.
Q: When you joined the Special Forces did you have in mind continuing your photography career as well?
A: No, not at all. Cameras were not allowed in the Special Forces. However, I was allowed as they knew I was a photographer.
Q: What did you focus on when continuing your photography career while in the Special Forces?
A: I wanted to be unique, original. I captured images to show the guys back home the conditions we were living in. It was then, however, that I started taking portraits of the Afghan police. This culminated in an exhibition titled “The Best View of Heaven is from Hell,” This was so different that it created a big stir in the UK as it showed a softer more feminine side to the war zone, bringing to light the character the Chai Boy who would adorn his AK47 with flowers, wear eyeliner and often sexually service the other police. As you can imagine bringing this to light did come with a few issues at first. It featured in the Sunday Times cover. As a photographer, though there were times, I wanted to just go off with my camera. I kept it in my webbing so when the opportunity struck I would quickly take it out and photograph what I saw, the beauty of the people and the poppy fields was an amazing backdrop for any photographer.
Q: When did you make the transition from photography into sculpture and the artist you are today?
A: It was a process but there is a specific moment when I can pinpoint that transformation. One day we were under intense Taliban fire and we dove into a ditch to evade the rain of bullets. Sat in front of me was a young Afghan National Police soldier who in spite of the intensity of the moment seemed calm with a soft smile. He held his AK47 firmly. It was adorned with pink stickers. I thought right there that I would use AK47s as my canvas. So, take decommissioned AK47 guns from active war zones and embellish them with butterflies, dollar bills, and other symbolic materials.
Q: How has the sculpturist journey been since that moment?
A: Amazing. Life-changing. My art is all about the AK-47, arguably the most symbolic weapon in the world. And it's the weapon that lived with me whilst I was a British Special Forces soldier deployed to war-torn Afghanistan at the height of the conflict. My art collections have been awarded and highly regarded. Elton John, the Chapman Brothers and the Prince of Bahrain are amongst several of the famous people that have purchased my sculptures. I have traveled worldwide for art gallery exhibitions. It’s been amazing. I have raised funds for charities that share my vision to protect the environment and call for peace.
Q: You’ve now decided to venture into NFT artwork. Can you explain this transition?
A: I’m the first sculpturist to launch an NFT collection. My purpose is to raise awareness worldwide of the destruction that war causes not only to humankind but to the environment as well. With this in mind, I have pledged donations to Greenpeace from the sale of my first collection entitled “Kalash 47 – The Art to Disarm.”
Q: Why are you launching at such a specific time and date?
A: I'm launching my first NFT Collection this Sunday, 19 December at 20.47 pm GMT. It is symbolic because of the 47 and because I've created 2,047 digital and unique collectibles. Every piece is different - whether it be the background, a butterfly, or a laser coming out of the barrel.
Q: NFT is a buzz or hype word, so what differentiates you from the rest?
A: I'm not a 'here today, gone tomorrow' NFT creator. I'm not some 'artist' that's popped up from nowhere to simply ride the NFT wave. I'm someone with a colorful history, as a soldier, a photographer, and an artist. Over the past six months, I've been planning my first ever NFT collection. Half of the NFT collection comprises my physical AK-47 artworks, many of which are currently in exhibitions in galleries worldwide.
