Roses 1, all images: © Guido Mocafico, courtesy of Hamiltons Gallery

Opening at Hamiltons Gallery in London today is an exhibition by photographer Guido Mocafico, which explores the twin themes of Guns and Roses...

The Guns series by Mocafico dates from 2006-08, and shows the sleek design of the weapons, which are displayed against a stark black background. "I do not like violence, but cannot deny that these machines are realy and a part of life, they are symbolic - particularly during this time of war," says Mocafico. "Each gun takes on a life of its own; here I find poetry meeting technology."

44 Magnum S & W

AK 47 Cornando

Roses is a more recent series, created in 2009. Mocafico was apparently inspired to create these works, which are shot from above, after seeing Renoir's painting Bouquet dans une Loge at the Musée d l'Orangerie in Paris. "This work has a dark edge - the roses are red and bloody, they conjour passion, mystery and verge on the scary," he says.

Roses 2

Desert Eagle

The exhibition will continue at Hamiltons Gallery until February 20 - more info is here.