BRT-CFM

The Golden Project: Reclaiming Symbols of Power

BRT-CFM (Beretta) forms part of The Golden Project, a series in which Catharina van de Ven transforms iconic handguns into sculptural artworks. The project includes nine individual pieces. Each sculpture explores the tension between power and vulnerability, masculinity and femininity, strength and identity.

Van de Ven reshapes these weapons into refined, gold-finished objects. She shifts their meaning and removes them from their original function. Instead of symbolizing violence, the sculptures encourage reflection. They question how society defines authority and control.

By changing the context, the artist turns the handgun into a new cultural symbol. She invites viewers to reconsider ideas of ownership, representation, and power.

Transforming a Masculine Icon

In BRT-CFM (Beretta), van de Ven reinterprets a traditionally masculine object. The handgun has long represented dominance and force. The artist challenges that association directly.

She presents the weapon as a sculptural statement rather than a functional object. This shift disrupts its conventional meaning. The sculpture now represents female strength and self-determination.

Van de Ven deliberately confronts expectations about gender and authority. She questions who defines power and who has the right to claim it. Through this act, she redirects the narrative.

Feminist Assertion and Empowerment

A strong feminist vision drives this work. Van de Ven reclaims a symbol rooted in male power structures and reshapes it into an emblem of resilience and autonomy.

The sculpture evokes confrontation, yet it rejects violence. It communicates confidence and control. Its polished surface reinforces this sense of authority.

Through BRT-CFM (Beretta), the artist transforms a weapon into a statement of empowerment. She demonstrates how art can redefine cultural symbols and challenge established narratives.

The result is a bold and assertive work that speaks to identity, equality, and strength.