Barreled and Burned

Bullets, resin, wood letters, redwood frame, wood burned

8x12

“Barreled and Burned” is a shadowbox sculpture that delivers a bold and gritty commentary on violence, destruction, and dual meaning through visual pun and symbolism. Set against a raw wood backdrop, this mixed media artwork features a wave-like formation meticulously crafted from spent brass bullet casings, frozen in glossy resin. The arrangement mimics the iconic shape of a barreling ocean wave, evoking surf culture, but instead of water, it’s made of ammunition shells—a jarring juxtaposition between nature and weaponry.

Above the scene, the word “BARRELED” is spelled out in hand-burned Scrabble-style wood tiles, intentionally recalling both the surfing term and the rifled interior of a gun barrel. The piece’s title, handwritten on the back and signed the thought: Barreled and Burned—a nod to being caught in a wave or a hail of bullets, burned by the system, the violence, or the surf.

The layered wood frame—with subtle burn marks and rustic textures—adds warmth and craftsmanship while reminding us this is both fine art and protest piece. Whether you see it as a statement on American gun culture, rising aggression, or environmental decay, the message is clear: even beauty can become dangerous when barreled and burned.