In Ravi Zupa’s hands, the oxymoron of a thinking man’s gun becomes a reality. His is an artillery of words and knowledge. For the last several years, the self-taught, multidisciplinary artist has been transforming the levers, keys, and ribbon spools of typewriters into weapons. His Mightier Than series of repurposed sculptures do not destroy, rip flesh from bone, or take away. Rather, they aim to contribute and inject. Even the ammunition Zupa crafts—“pen bullets,” used machine gun cartridges filled with pens and pencils—flip the old adage of “the pen is mightier than the sword” right on its head. The sculptures register at gut level first, equal parts meditation and raw counterattack. 

-Mass Appeal

MASS APPEAL
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DENVER POST
Ravi Zupa’s beautiful, dangerous guns have high-profile fans

COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO
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These pieces are constructed from disassembled antique typewriters. Some have stapler components and scrap metal. Everything is held together with welds, bolts and rivots. The ammunition is composed of Speedball pen nibs and used bullet cartridges of various sizes. The pen tip is held in place with a piece of a standard number 2 pencil. Each cartridge is laser etched with the saw and hatchet symbol.

For information about availability of Mightier Than sculptures, please contact naia@ravizupa.com.