Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd

Carl Fredrik Reutersvärd describes his thought behind the artwork "Non-Violence" with these words: "Humor is the best tool we have to bring people together. When I created my peace symbol, I thought about how important it was to include some humor, just so that my 'weapon' would become symbolically ridiculous and completely useless."

At the Skissernas Museum in Lund, there is a sketch for the first Non-Violence sculpture where Reuterswärd noted that it was the grief after the murder of John Lennon in 1980 that inspired him to create the artwork. Since then, the sculpture has been varied in a multitude of sculpture models and drawings, becoming an international symbol for peace and non-violence.

Art has always been a powerful medium for conveying emotions, ideas, and societal messages. "Non-Violence" by Carl Fredrik Reutersvärd is more than just an artwork; it is a testament to the power of creativity and the indomitable will of the human spirit in the face of violence. This iconic sculpture challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of violence and, with humor as its weapon, reminds them of the importance of peaceful coexistence. Today, over 40 years after the sculpture was created, it continues to inspire and captivate. "Non-Violence" is a symbol of hope and a call for a more peaceful world.

One of the first three versions was purchased by the Luxembourg government and donated to the United Nations in 1988, where it has held its place in front of the UN headquarters in New York ever since. Today, the symbol exists as a sculpture in over 30 locations worldwide, including the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and in the park of the Chancellor's Office in Berlin. The original bronze version is in the collections of Moderna Museet in Stockholm.