The Tree of Life is sculpture three metres in height crafted from AK47s, Walther 42s and British 4.85mm pistols. Made entirely out of guns obtained in weapons amnesty project, Transforming Arms into Tools, it was commissioned by both Christian Aid and the British Museum. It is part of the major Africa 2005 season of cultural events, which is involving more than 40 venues and institutions in the UK.

Thirteen years after the end of the civil war in Mozambique, there are still millions of guns scattered around the country. Bishop Dom Dinis Sengulane, who was involved in peace negotiations in 1992, came up with an idea for a weapons amnesty project that would help people give up their guns and called the project Transforming Arms into Tools. In the past nine years over 600,000 weapons have been collected and dismantled. In exchange for their guns, former combatants are offered building materials, tools and equipment like sewing machines, bicycles, ploughs and one village was given a tractor for handing in 500 weapons. All deadly weapons are exchanged for the means by which a living can be earned. These tools of war begin a new life in the hands of Mozambican artists who then create sculptures out of them. Their unique pieces of art are exhibited all over the world and include birds of peace, saxaphones, furniture and even jazz bands.

The project has been so successful that other African governments are now considering implementing similar schemes, including Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hilario Nhatugueja, one of the four sculptors who worked on the Tree of Life, says: We artists want to turn the situation around and change the story. We are changing these instruments of death into hope, life and prosperity.” The Tree of Life is now installed in the British Museum and will be in Liverpool Cathedral from 7th ñ 12th June and then the National Museum of Wales, in Cardiff.