Second Amendment

“The guns point both left and right - implicating both sides in our current confusing and polarized political climate. Do they represent life and freedom, or death and destruction?”

Artist Kristin Simmons holding a toy silver gun from her artwork.

ABOUT

The gun is a canonical Western symbol of power. Whatever one’s opinions on gun control, the topic itself is polemic and provocative - and Simmons does not shy away from such politics or provocation. Rows and rows of shiny toy guns in myriad colors: the object itself is indisputably political.

In ‘Second Amendment,’ Simmons explores the transformation of the gun from an instrument of war to an object that is at once political and commercial; idolized and idealized. Bold, graphic and colorful, Simmons conceptualized this series in 2010 by discovering disturbingly realistic toy guns at dollar toy stores (which are now no longer for purchase in most states), primarily in low income neighborhoods of New York City.

The guns, which Simmons repaints to, ironically, make them appear more “toylike,” point both left and right, implicating both sides in our current confusing and polarized political climate, specifically in terms of gun control and access to firearms.

In contrast to the menacing solemnity of guns mounted on a gun rack, Simmons’ plastic guns are lacquered in high gloss and vibrant colors before being mounted onto a canvas. Reduced to wall decor, they lose their functional significance as weapons but still challenge our perception: Do they represent life and freedom, or death and destruction?

Toy guns glued onto a cnavas painted to look like the American flag.

SHOOTING FOR THE STARS

Multi-colored toys guns glued onto a black canvas with a yellow-purple sunset gradient.

ENDLESS SUMMER

A black canvas with copper toy guns glue on to it in rows.

COPPERHEAD

A black canvas with green, blue, purple, and pink toy guns glued on in semetrical rows.

MIAMI VICE

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Additional Colors ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣ ⏣

  • Artistic display of toy guns arranged in rows, alternating in colors of blue, red, and white.

    Americana

  • Artwork depicting multiple rows of handgun silhouettes, each painted with unique pastel and watercolor patterns, set against a black canvas.

    Rainbow Road

  • Artwork with a pattern featuring rows of blue-toned toy gun silhouettes, varying in shades from light blue to navy, against a black canvas.

    Blue Period

  • Artwork with a pattern featuring rows of blue-toned toy gun silhouettes, varying in shades from light blue to navy, against a black canvas.

    Silver Lining

  • Array of stylized toy pistols in gradient shades of purple to teal, arranged in orderly rows on a white canvas.

    Neon Tetris

  • Toys guns in different shades of purple glued onto a dark purple canvas.

    Purple Rain

  • Artwork comprised of rows of toy guns arranged in a gradient. The colors transition from shades of pink at the top, through purples, to blues at the bottom, creating a visually striking rainbow effect.

    Barbiecore

  • Artwork featuring a grid of pastel-colored toy gun silhouettes against a dark background.

    Spring Fever