Philadelphia’s future is one of hope and renewal, according to artist Portlock. Drawing inspiration from Australia’s experience with gun control, Portlock envisions a city that has learned from its past mistakes and implemented stricter gun laws to improve public safety.
“Time After the Hunter,” an artwork by Portlock, depicts a city in ruins but also reborn. The piece reflects the past version of the city, where guns were prevalent, as well as the new version that emerged after the implementation of stricter gun laws. The artwork serves as a reminder of how far we have come and how much progress can be made when we take action to address pressing issues.
Meanwhile, Natalie Hijinx uses her love for science fiction and Gene Roddenberry (“Star Trek”) as inspiration for her multimedia sculptural piece “Long Action.” Set in a future where a decentralized artificial intelligence dominates, the AI known as the Essensees is dedicated to saving humanity. In this future, a super fungus engineered by the AI feeds on gunpowder, rendering firearms useless and helping to eradicate gun violence.