Creators of an art installation featuring The Gun Sculpture, by Edmonton artist Wallis Kendal, are 'gobsmacked' that part of the exhibit was removed because of a complaint from China. (Canadian Press)

The creators of a world-renowned art installation that features a five-tonne cube of small firearms, ammunition and landmines say they are "gobsmacked" that part of their exhibit has been removed because of one complaint from China.

The Art of Peacemaking: The Gun Sculpture is on exhibit at the United Nations Vienna International Centre.

Sandra Bromley and Wallis Kendal, both from Edmonton, say they were informed by email that a board showing photos of victims of gun violence from around the world was taken down.

"We don't understand it. We're speechless, we're furious and we feel it's a real violent act to our exhibit," Bromley said Wednesday.

The exhibit has three components — a massive gun sculpture created from 7,000 deactivated crime and military weapons donated from around the world; a large mural with photos of 114 images of victims and survivors of violence from around the world; and a wall-sized blackboard for visitors to leave messages.

Two of the photos were of Tibetan nuns with the words "imprisoned and beaten in prison" and "locked up as a teenager because of violent political beliefs" beside them.

China claims Tibet, which in turn maintains that it has always been an independent country and that China invaded it in 1949.

Bromley said the artists were told that the photos had been removed because a Chinese delegation complained to exhibit organizers.

An Austrian paper, Der Standard, reported on July 13 that "a representative of the Chinese UN delegation in Vienna confirmed that the agency had complained to the UN about the sculpture," but wouldn't comment further.

On display for 10 years

The Gun Sculpture installation had its world premiere at Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany. It then went to the Centennial Exhibition for the Nobel Peace Prize in Seoul and it has also been on display at the UN's headquarters in New York.

'It is ironic that an institution dedicated to protecting human rights should so quickly sacrifice the artist's creative freedom, the right to "speak" in the memory of those unable to defend themselves from abuse.'—Sandra Bromley and Wallis Kendal

"I've been an artist for 35 years and I've never had anyone touch my work like this," said Bromley.

"There has been controversy, but I've never had anyone just walk in and remove something on a weekend, or whenever it was done, and not expect repercussions. It's just staggering to me."

Bromley and Kendal don't know who removed the photos. In a letter to Antonio Costa, director general of the United Nations Office in Vienna, they wrote: "It is ironic that an institution dedicated to protecting human rights should so quickly sacrifice the artist's creative freedom, the right to 'speak' in the memory of those unable to defend themselves from abuse.

"In more than 30 years of exhibiting art in three continents, neither one of us has ever experienced this kind of blatant censorship or disrespect."

Bromley said Costa's reply was that nothing was done to undermine the integrity of the artwork and that the UN supported the installation.

No one at the UN in Vienna could be reached for comment, but an email said someone could reply in two weeks.

Bromley said that removing the voices of violence victims compromises the artwork's integrity and shrouds the truth that is being conveyed.

"Social issues like this, not everybody likes them, but most people respect the right to look at issues and discuss issues. I hope the artistic community is riled by this.

"I hope they speak out loudly about it."

No one could be found to comment at the Canadian Council for the Arts.

The exhibit is scheduled to run until July 31 and the artists have asked that the missing component be put back.

Catherine Crowston, chief curator at the Art Gallery of Alberta, said the Edmonton institution was proud to present The Gun Sculpture in 2000 and is currently exhibiting Bromley's new work, FIRE.

Artist Wallis Kendal is seen in 2001 putting the finishing touches on the Gun Sculpture at the United Nations headquarters. (Shawn Baldwin/Associated Press)