A Peace of Metal
Provoke. Challenge. Inspire
The year 2045 will mark a century since the end of World War II. In anticipation of this historic milestone, Peace of Metal – a global art initiative – is gaining momentum. This monumental project will bring people of all nations together under one roof to honour those who devoted their lives in the pursuit of peace.
The Nation Without Fear will cast the first bell.
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A Peace of Metal - READ PRESS RELEASE
A PEACE of METAL
Provoke Challenge Inspire
https://youtu.be/1mE-FEAc6-c
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Contact:
Contact:
Lindsay McAuley
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lindsaymcauley.com
Project Link: Peace of Metal
Date: March 2025
Peace of Metal: A Global Call to Transform Weapons of War into Symbols of Peace
Queensland, Australia – In a bold and visionary initiative aimed at remembrance and reconciliation, Australian visual artist Lindsay McAuley, is relaunching his ground-breaking project, Peace of Metal. This global art movement invites nations to transform decommissioned military equipment into bells—powerful symbols of remembrance, hope, and humanity’s potential for harmony.
The year 2045 will mark a century since the end of World War II. In anticipation of this historic milestone, Peace of Metal—a global art initiative—is gaining momentum. This monumental project will bring people of all nations together under one roof to honour those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace.
The Nation Without Fear, will cast the first bell.
During World War II, Nazi Germany confiscated and melted down more than 175,000 church bells across Europe to forge weapons of war. Peace of Metal seeks to reverse that dark history—one bell at a time. Governments around the world are being invited to contribute decommissioned military hardware, which will be repurposed into bells representing their nations. These bells will be housed under one roof, in a yet-to-be-determined location, forming a unified monument to peace and reconciliation.
“The sound of a bell calls people to gather—it transcends borders, beliefs, and languages,” says McAuley. “This project is more than art—it’s an invitation for the world to remember, reflect, and choose peace. It’s a living testament to transformation and collective hope.”
Australia has taken a leadership role by helping McAuley present Peace of Metal to the United Nations through the Strategic Communications and Outreach Unit of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the Australian Defence Force has placed the project on its Expressions of Interest list for Military Disposal Equipment.
Peace of Metal first emerged nearly 30 years ago, when McAuley wrote to every UN member state. The project was shelved due to logistical barriers. Today, with renewed urgency and a world still shadowed by conflict, McAuley has reignited the initiative—reaching out to over 800 ambassadors and political leaders across the globe.
While each bell will stand just 1.2 metres tall, their collective sound will echo worldwide—a sonorous call for peace that resonates far beyond borders.
“Storm clouds gather, and peace remains fragile,” McAuley reflects. “In times like these, we must amplify the voice of reconciliation. This project is a call to conscience—a reminder of our shared humanity and our power to choose creation over destruction.”
Peace of Metal is not just an artistic endeavour; it is a global movement challenging nations to act on behalf of future generations. As McAuley says:
“Involvement in this project is a gesture of courage and hope—an opportunity for governments to share the vision for peace.”
For more information or to participate in this global initiative, please contact Lindsay McAuley at [email protected] or visit www.lindsaymcauley.com/peace-of-metal.
About the Artist: Lindsay McAuley
Lindsay McAuley is an acclaimed artist, filmmaker, and social visionary. Born in outback Queensland, he has travelled to 44 countries, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and lived experiences. His award-winning work spans visual art, photography, and writing. Peace of Metal is the culmination of decades of creative exploration and a lifelong commitment to fostering a more peaceful world.
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Provoke. Challenge. Inspire
Every nation on earth is provoked to participate, challenged to collaborate, in doing so, inspire other nations to follow.
Peace of Metal: A Global Call for Remembrance and Contemplation
A Call to All Nations
Every nation on earth has been invited to take part in this powerful world-class artistic collaboration—Peace of Metal. This global project challenges countries to unite, contribute, and inspire others by participating in the creation of a monument dedicated to peace, remembrance, and shared humanity. Over 700 emails have been sent to world leaders and ambassadors of each member state of the United Nations.
The Vision: A Monument of Reflection and Contemplation
At the heart of Peace of Metal is a singular vision:
To create a unique architectural structure, a place of remembrance and contemplation, where people from all nations can honour those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace. More than a memorial, it will be a place to imagine a safer, more unified world.
Each participating country are asked to contribute a bell, forged from decommissioned military equipment. These bells, marked with culturally significant motifs identifying each nation, will symbolize transformation, from instruments of war to icons of peace.
The sound of bells call people to gather, a universal summons to pause, reflect and unite.
Historical Context
During World War Two, numerous bells were collected. Between 1939 and 1945, 175,000 bells across Europe were taken by Nazi Germany. The intention, to be melted down and used as military equipment. Church bells of all shapes and sizes were repurposed as a means to kill.
The aim of Peace of Metal is to reverse that event.
For more historical information:
One Host Nation
One country will eventually choose to host the Peace of Metal monument. This nation will gain the cultural prestige and economic opportunity that comes with becoming a global centre of remembrance, drawing international tourism and attention.
While the final location is yet to be determined, bells can be produced now, in preparation for their future destination.
The Process: From Weapon to Bell
All United Nations member states have been invited to participate. The process involves:
- Supplying decommissioned military hardware
- Transporting it to a bell foundry
- Casting a bell between 1 and 1.5 meters in height, customized with cultural designs representative of the nation of origin
Bell foundries around the world will facilitate the transformation of metal once used in war into resonant symbols of peace.
The First Step: Casting the First Bell
“Let the nation without fear, cast the first bell.”
In today’s climate of rising defence budgets and global uncertainty, this project demands courage. A nation’s choice to participate is a bold gesture, an act of leadership and humanity in the face of fear.
Peace of Metal is not just about remembrance. It is about empathy, unity, and forging a collective vision for a better tomorrow. Every nation has known conflict. Every human has known tragedy. Together, we can transform that shared suffering into a powerful symbol of peace.
Momentum Begins: Australia Leads the Way
As of June 2025, Australia has officially pledged to contribute decommissioned military hardware, becoming the first nation to respond.
This significant step encourages the rest of the world to follow and take part in this extraordinary journey.
The race has begun.
Will your nation answer the call?
Will you become involved in changing the world?
– simply by contacting your local government representatives and encouraging them to collaborate.
Donate
If you feel strongly about the intention of this project, you can make a donation to the cause. The artist would like to make it known, ‘Peace of Metal’ is a ‘work in progress’, therefore there is no guarantee that the outcome will be successful because of the nature of the dealing with governments on this level of sensitivity. Any money collected will be used transparently and specifically toward this project with regard to establishing the concept. This will go toward airfares, meetings and general administration until a board of directors is finalised.
Lindsay McAuley
Visual artist & Founder of Peace of Metal
(e) [email protected]
www.lindsaymcauley.com
Nearly 30 years ago, visual artist Lindsay McAuley attempted to launch this ambitious global art initiative. He reached out to every embassy around the world, inviting the governments of all 193 United Nations member states to take part in a symbolic gesture of peace.
His request was simple but powerful:
Participation would represent a commitment to peace and a collective future. Even as a symbolic act, it would demonstrate hope for the planet—a sign that governments were willing to look beyond borders and act in the interest of all humanity.
Out of the entire world, only New Zealand responded.
The project quietly faded away, hindered by logistical challenges like postage costs and the distractions of everyday life. It never gained the momentum or recognition it truly deserved.
But now – more than ever, Peace of Metal calls for revival. Its message is timeless, and its vision, still possible, even more urgent with the weaponization of AI.
Artist, Creative Thinker, Change Agent
Lindsay McAuley grew up immersed in the vast, natural landscape of outback Queensland, Australia, on a sheep and cattle station. It was here that his lifelong fascination with astronomy, art, and metaphysics first began to take shape.
His creative journey led him into the film and photography industries, where he developed and refined his artistic skills. Pursuing this passion further, he earned a certificate in art and went on to win recognition and awards in both visual arts and filmmaking.
A prolific and versatile creator, Lindsay’s work spans multiple disciplines. He has written several plays and authored The Lost World of the Maya, a book that challenges and expands conventional understanding of Maya civilisation. He also penned a romance novel, Scent of a Lion, set in South Korea, and is currently developing a children’s educational book titled The Adventures of Kanga, the Kangaroo, set in Cambodia. His research writings cover a broad range of topics—from anatomy and astronomy to mathematics.
Lindsay’s visual art has been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions. One of his notable projects, Skyharp, explored the interplay between natural light and an outdoor metallic sculpture aligned with the solstices and equinoxes. The installation included an aeolian harp—sound produced by wind—and was accompanied by a documentary on its creation, titled Perfect Almost. He also presented a geometric method for calculating planetary orbits as part of the exhibition.
Driven by curiosity and a restless spirit, Lindsay has travelled to 43 countries across all seven continents. His deep artistic sensibility, combined with a strong social conscience, led him to initiate this global peace project titled, A Peace of Metal. The concept calls for participation from all United Nations member states and stands as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and remembrance through art.