Sun Tzu was right: There is an art of war, but it may not be exactly what the 6th-century B.C. author originally had in mind. The designs in the slideshow below are all nonviolent pieces of art inspired by war.
Any veteran can tell you that war and battle are by no means glamorous, and this collection certainly doesn't mean to trivialize that hellish experience of combat. It does, however, showcase the innovation and beauty that is inspired by ugliness.
From artistic ammunition to tank paintball, items that once symbolized destruction and obliteration are now items to be enjoyed. Explore these and other artistic pieces inspired by war below.
33 Artistic Interpretations of War
32
Inked Injuries
Wound and Bullet Hole Tattoos for the Wannabe Badass
31
Firearm Tattoos
Inked Lethal Weapons So You Look Tough, Even in the Buff
30
Aggressive Innovation
From Tank Paintball to Terror Fashion
29
Tank Tracks
Mattracks Convert Your SUV Into a Tank
28
Designer Ladies Weapons by Antonio Riello
27
Tank Paintball
26
Bullet Hole Shirts
Fashion on a Rampage
25
Bullet Casings as Charms
Unearthen Jewelry by Gia Bahm
24
The Tank Wheelchair
23
Painted Hand Grenades & Bullets
Army Trash Makes Fashion, Not War
22
Explosive Furniture
Grenade Drawers
21
Musical Weapons
From Trombone Revolvers to Grenade Maracas
20
Space Saving Capsule Seating
Cool Compact Patio Table and Chairs Looks Like a Bullet
19
All Terrain Wheelchair
Tank Chair Mk II (CES 2008)
18
Extreme Security Bed
Keeps Safe From Bad Guys, Bullets and Bio-Terrorism
17
Recycled Gun Shell Jewelry
Bullet Buddies
16
Killer Ice Cubes
The AK 47 Bullet Ice Cube Tray
15
Artistic Grenades
Decorative War Tools from DaWanda Make Aggression Stylish
14
Explosive Accessories
The Grenade Wristwatch
13
War-Inspired Snack Food Ads
‘Battle of the Beans' Pits Soybeans vs. Jelly Beans
12
Artistic Ammunition
Masterpieces That Illustrate The Creative Art of War
11
Bullet-Shaped Bottles
Bollinger Bond 007 Champagne
10
Ninja Weapon Fridge Magnets
Throwing Star Note Holders
9
Grenade Oil Lamp
Piet Houtenbos Makes Art from Army Surplus
8
Inflatable Violence
The Balloon Tank
7
Killer Bag
Mulberry Bag Also a Weapon?
6
Weapon-Inspired Accessories
Diesel's AK-47SCARF
5
Painting With Bullets
Military Folk Art by Matthew Stromberg
4
Real Weapons as Computer Gadgets
Grenade Mouse
3
Army-Inspired Decor
Tank U Vases
2
Cushy Weaponry for Kids
The 'Pillow Fight' Cushion
1
Weaponry Motifs in Kitchens
The Six Shooter Revolver Dishes For Cowboy Cuisine
Related Ideas
Baroque-Style Earbud Cases
'The Case' by Eslam Mohammed Turns Tech into a Work of Art
Beautiful Automotive Design Books
Auto Photo Manual drives the car design coffee table book trend
Celestial Anti-Conflict Chess Sets
The Another Kingdom: Light Stage Chess Set is Highly Detailed
Juxtaposed Materials Furniture Collections
The Around the Studio Wool Diaries Collection is Chic
Tranquil Design Coffee Makers
The 'Zenbrew' Coffee Maker by Suckhand Saren is Peaceful
Statement Street Art
Alex Chinneck’s Surreal Street Art Transforms Bristol's Urban Landscape
Oil Painting-Inspired Rugs
Antonio Santín Presents a New Collection of Intricate Rugs
AI-Generated Soup Can Art
The Campbell’s 'pAIntings' Initiative is Inspired by Artistic Greats
Blurry Abstract Photography Exhibits
Hiroshi Sugimoto Displays the Optical Allusion Exhibition
Dazzling Art Design Exhibitions
Kiki Goti Showcases the Selene Exhibition at Alcova
Modular Flat-Pack Side Tables
SUNRIU Design's Tai Side Table is Sustainability-Conscious
DIY Life-Size Tanks
ND Woodworking Art Draws Inspiration from the 'World of Tanks' Video Game
Vibrant Design Collections
Ali Beletic and Her Studio Launch the Neon Primitivism Series
Japanese Artwork Sneakers
These Converse All-Star Sneakers Come in Two Styles
Artist Painting-Adorned Bottles
An Absolut Vodka Bottle is Adorned by an Andy Warhol Painting
Heritage-Honoring Boot Collaborations
SOLDIER Presents a New Timberland 6-Inch Boot
Terracotta-Inspired Art Installations
Gornace Brioni's Grounded Exhibition Features Wall Coverings
Artful Graphic Beach Towels
ZigZagZurich Presents the Artist Terry Beach Towel Capsule
Battle-Style Art Events
Secret Walls Relaunches its 'The Art of Competition' Tour
Sexuality-Exploring Artful Exhibitions
Faye Toogood Explores Sensuality with the Rude Arts Club
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Artistic Apparel Illustrations
UNIQLO and Kenshi Yonezu Team Up to Make Creative Graphic Tees
Dynamic Upcycled Art Exhibitions
Hamed Ouattara Presents the Bolibana Show at Friedman Benda
Intergalactic-Themed Furnishings
Djivan Schapira Presents the New Solar Sailor Collection
Origami-Inspired Lit Table Concepts
Sonakshi Gupta Designs the Dynamic LightUP Concept
Earthy Sophisticated Lighting
Carmen Nash Designs the Folk and Flora Series for Troy Lighting
Pop Art Creative Collections
The KAWS + Warhol UT Collection Caters to Art Lovers
Artist-Inspired Dynamic Basketballs
round21 Designs Basketballs Inspired by Basquiat and Haring
Detailed Ceramic Book Vases
Biblio Bloom Vases are Inspired by Timeless Literary Classics
Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions
Raise the Moral Studio Presents the Becoming Familiar Show
Custom Inspirational Quotes
Muse Combines Quotes with Creative Themes for Social Media
Vibrant Artist Pop-Up Books
Poposition Press Brings Life to the Keith Haring Pop-Up Book
Ethnically Inspired Ceramic Vases
Silk & Snow x Solem Ceramics Vase Capsule Utilizes Organic Forms
Dynamic Art Exhibitions
The 'Art in Motion' Exhibition Features Moving Artworks
Geometric Wooden Art Sculptures
Aleph Geddis Creates the Series of Dimensional Wooden Art
Lunar New Year-Inspired Noteboooks
Moleskine Adds New Designs to the 3 Artists, 3 Countries Series
Pop Art-Inspired Technical Sneakers
Mizuno Presents a Hiroshi Nagai Sneaker Series of Three Shoes
Sculptural Nature-Inspired Designs
Sukwoo Lee Designs the Drop Series Highlighting Eternal Beauty
Graphic Fashion Animation Campaigns
Louis Vuitton Remasters Takashi Murakami's Superflat Animation
Exquisite Circular Vases
Origin Made Spotlights the Salt Vase by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio
Modern Totem-Like Vases
The SCULPT Collection by Lsa International Boasts Geometric Influences
Water Movement Sculptural Instruments
The Inner Waves Installation is a Musical Light Show
Geometry-Inspired Vase Collections
Lorenz Noelle Designs the Triangle Vase Collection
Therapeutic Sunset-Inspired Cards
Sunset Spark Deck Offers Mindfulness Tools with Painted Sunsets
Global AI Art Contests
Shutterstock and the UN Partner for the Canvas of the Future
Mushroom-Inspired Sleek Lamps
Danil Repko Designs the Bright Lunar Lamp Concept
Intricate Fiber Art Exhibitions
Threadwork: Women Redefining Fiber Arts Opens at Saatchi
AI Tattoo Generators
Tattoo Canvas Has Endless Creative Possibilities for Artistic Expression
Spiritual Meditation Chair Exhibitions
Andrés Reisinger Presents the 12 Chairs for Meditation Show
Community-Centric Art Galleries
The Tableau Gallery Will Host a Roster of Designe
Updated Traditional Game Experiences
Admiral Clash Reimagines Battleship in New Angle
Surreal Artist-Inspired Tech Accessories
CASETiFY Presents a New Salvador Dalí Collection
Large Structural Ceramic Lamps
Olivia Xognet Draws Inspiration from her Move to Vallauris
Exclusive Homeware Collections
Tiffany & Co. X Fondation César Fuse Artistry and Homeware
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Terracotta-Highlighting Artful Exhibitions
Sam Baron Curates the Nossa Terra Exhibitino
Glass Beaded Intricate Artworks
Liza Lou's Painting Exhibition Debuts 12 New Pieces of Work
Young-Artist Graphic Rug Collections
Alf Bärbel Wit Designs the LineLinesLines Collection
Pop Art Skateboard Capsules
THE SKATEROOM Unveils a Collection Inspired by Roy Lichtenstein
Digital City-Inspired Art Works
New Digital Art is on Display in Grand Central Station
Urban Waste-Made Furniture
Javier Guzmán Cervantes and Ex Soup Join on an Exhibition
Ethereal Oil Lamp Systems
The TIWA Gallery is Beautifully Lit up by A Realm of Light
Italian Heritage Brand Identities
Sergio Soldano Launches Tableau D’Art in Cannes and Genoa
Traditional Emirati Design Collections
Loreta Bilinskaite-Monie Designs the Tirhal Collection
Artistic Gen Alpha Rugs
Moooi Carpets Made Rugs Based on Art by Eight-Year-Old Alf Bärbel Wit
Japanese Culture-Honoring Vases
Ryosuke Fukusada and Ceramic Japan Design the WATOJI Series
Visual Poetry Creation Tools
Poetique Boasts a Library of 80,000 Images to Complement Your Words
Art-Inspired Whisky Events
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Partnered with Ian Woods for a Custom Design
Miniature Cylindrical Flower Vases
W DESIGN Creates the HANAKUBARI Vase with Japanese Influence
Artwork-Adorned Collaborative Boots
TATE and Dr. Martens Celebrate Ithell Colquhoun's Work
Military-Inspired Outdoor Fashion
N.Hoolywood Releases the Test Product Exchange Service
Artist-Inspired Intricate Timepieces
Jaeger-LeCoultre Adds to the Reverso Tribute Collection
Street Artist Digitalized Exhibitions
LG OLED and Shepard Fairey Showcase Digital Street Art
Deconstructed Eroded Soccer Balls
Daniel Arsham Designs Deconstructed Soccer Balls for Inter Milan
Structural Ceramic Art Exhibitions
Serhii Makhno Unveils the ZEMLYA Series of Ceramic Art
Creatively Sponsored Art Events
Sharpie is Sponsoring the Upcoming Art Battle Event in Los Angeles
Artful Holiday Ceramics
Gunia Project's Holiday Collection Boasts Ukrainian Artistry
Historic Fortress Open-Air Museums
KOOP Architects Revives the Ottoman Seddülbahir Fortress
Museum-Inspired Tech Accessories
CASETiFY's Ancient Korean Designs for Devices are Elegant
Tea-Honoring Angular Libraries
Atelier Xi Designs the Interconnected Library and Tea Rooms
Artful Flush-Mount TVs
The C1 Canvas Art TV Has No External Connection Box for a Clean Aesthetic
Worldly Paint Collections
Dstrezzed x We are WOW Makers Shares Travel-Inspired Hues
CD-Comprised Towering Art Sculptures
Tara Donovan Presents Her Stratagems Exhibition in New York
Natural Japanese Art Galleries
Brazil's Yayoi Kusama Gallery Features a Nature-Inspired Design
Generative Art-Wrapped Cars
Kaoru Tanaka Wraps the INFINITI QX80 in Digital Artwork
Mesmerizing Fluid Art Installations
Dutch Invertuals Creates the Flow Fountain Installation
NYC Fall-Ready Militaristic Streetwear
maharishi Presents the Art of the Invisible Warrior
Planetary-Inspired Glassware Capsules
Pentagon Design Creates the Spherical Mars Collection
Woven Upholstery Textile Capsules
The Elemental Wright Collection Highlights Organic Architecture
Artfully Inspired Home Renovations
Reflect Architecture Designs the North Drive House in Toronto
Spring-Inspired Colorful Vessels
Paola Sakr Designs the SŪRYA Collection of Artful Vessels
Artful Reflective Art Exhibitions
Rice Roshan Showcases The Space in Between Exhibit
Functional Militaristic Fall Apparel
maharishi Presents its New Campaign for the FW23 Season
War Boat-Inspired Timepieces
William Wood Designs the Dunkirk Watch with Various Commands
Artful Sculptural Ceramic Collections
Jessica Sellinger Designs the New Wave Collection
Vibrantly Abstract Rug Collections
Atelier Tapis Rouge Presents the Abstraction Collection
Artist-Inspired Flower Puzzle Sets
BelgianDesigner's LEGO Ideas is Inspired by Murakami's Work
Mesmerizing Sand Pattern Sculptures
Ed Cano Designs the Crystal SANDSARA Blending Meditation
Lunar Zodiac-Inspired Jewelry Charms
Ai Weiwei and TASCHEN Join Forces on the Zodiac Charms
Futile Material Design Exhibitions
Objective Gallery Presents Please Sit for an Alternate Ending
Jacquard Textile Design Exhibitions
Kutsaa Saksi Unveils In The Borderlands in Helsinki
Travel-Inspired Canvas Paintings
SOLDIER Presents the Passport Series of Artful Looks
Festive Light Painting Techniques
NASA Astronauts Creates Captivating Light Paintings
Destructive Nature Art Exhibitions
Keita Miyazaki Unveils the Keita Miyazaki Exhibition
Drawings-Inspired Rug Collections
Cold Picnic Introduces the New Frames Collection
Sculptural Wooden Art Exhibitions
Joel Shapiro Presents His Out of the Blue Exhibition in NY
Sunset-Inspired Polish Apartments
wiercinski-studio Reimagines the 18TH Apartment
Artwork-Inspired Vibrant Watches
Swatch and Tate Join Forces on the Gallery Collection
Artsy Painting-Inspired Bottles
Absolut Introduces the Andy Warhol-Inspired 'blue' Bottle
Timeless Furniture Series
Artek Creates the Crafted Through Time Series to Build on Designs
Modern-Tinged Traditional Furniture
Sonal Tuli Designs the New Jaipur Furniture Collection
Colorful Geometric Ceramic Vases
Pani Jurek's BARVA VASES are Defined by Wavy Lines
Artist-Designed Wool Blankets
Eike König Crafts a Series of Art-Inspired Blankets for Multi-Use
Human Connection Design Exhibitions
VERSO Presents the No Discipline Solo Exhibition
Image-To-Poetry Generators
The Data Poets Turns Images into Poetic Expressions
Pottery-Inspired Artful Notebooks
Sutta Design Creates the Dynamic Kintsugi Art Notebook
Kyoto-Inspired Solo Art Exhibitions
Philadelphia Gallery Displayed Ode to Kyoto and It's Wild Here
Dynamic Structural Mirror Designs
Bo Zhang Designs the Zig/Zag Collection of Colorful Decor
Architectural Pottery Museums
1+1>2 Architects Designs the Bat Trang Pottery Museum
Stone Vaulting Glass Sculptures
AAU Anastas and Tomoko Sauvage Create the Serpentine Bell
Beginner Artistic Inspiration
Drawing Prompts Helps Artists Develop a Consistent Practice
Immigration System-Inspired Artworks
SOLDIER's Passport Series Confront the Biased Justice System
Natural Material-Transformed Artworks
Borrowed Earth Collaborative Uses Natural Materials for Art
Cross-Cultural Art Exhibitions
A Team Forms to Present Mother Goddess of the Three Realms
Lightning-Inspired Artful Exhibitions
Ugo Rondinone Presents the Bright Light Shining Installation
Romantic Debut Solo Exhibitions
EJR Barnes Debuts A Room on East 79th Street Show
Collaborative Textural Ceramic Designs
Ronan Bouroullec and Mutina Create the Editions Series
Empowering Artful Basketball Courts
Na Chainkua Reindorf Creates Bright Art for NYC Courts
Provocative Eco Screensavers
Planet-Saving Screen Savers Encourage Switching Off Devices
Unseen Artist Masterpieces
A Hidden Chamber Reveals Michelangelo's Untold Works
Tropical Modernism Stage Designs
A Team of Designers Form a South Asian Stage at Glastonbury
Artistic Feedback Tools
Instant Art Review Provides Real-Time Feedback to Boost Artistic Skills
Politically Artful Textile Shows
Barbican Hosts Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art
Water Flow-Inspired Art Buildings
MAD Designs the Waterfront Nanhai Arts Center in Guangdong
Daily Stoic Wisdom
Stoiczone Sends Daily Philosophy Quotes to Your Inbox
Chinese Tradition-Inspired Furniture
Sun at Six Designed the Wolo Collection of Sleek Furniture
Nomadic Berlin Design Galleries
Forma Presents the The Room I Walk the Line Exhibition
Slaugherhouse-Transformed Unique Museums
Cave Bureau Creates the Anthropocene Museum 9.0
Stealthy Cold War Museums
AART Wraps the Cold War Museum Regan Vest in Black Metal