Graphite, color pencil, gel medium, enamel, poly finish, acrylic on paper
15 × 15 inches
No. 210713
2021
Graphite, color pencil, gel medium, enamel, poly finish, acrylic on paper
15 × 15 inches
No. 210711
2021
Graphite, color pencil, gel medium, enamel, poly finish, acrylic on paper
15 × 15 inches
No. 200210
2020
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
44 × 44 inches
No. 200211
2020
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
48 × 48 inches
No. 200208
2020
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 200209
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190823
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
72 × 48 inches
No. 190819
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
58 × 48 inches
No. 190817
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
44 × 44 inches
No. 190812
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
35 × 45 inches
No. 190809
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
35 × 45 inches
No. 190801
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
44 × 44 inches
No. 190721
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190720
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190713
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190712
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190711
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190710
2019
Graphite, color pencil, matte medium, enamel, acrylic on paper
20 × 14 inches
No. 190403
2019
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
60 × 40 inches
No. 181221
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
36 × 36 inches
No. 181210
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
48 × 24 inches
No. 181129
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
24 × 24 inches
No. 190201
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on roofing felt
18 × 18 inches
No. 190202
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on roofing felt
18 × 18 inches
Untitled (180515 01)
2018
Graphite, ink on paper
3 × 3 inches
Untitled (180515 03)
2018
Graphite, ink on paper
3 × 3 inches
Untitled (180515 04)
2018
Graphite, ink on paper
3 × 3 inches
Untitled (180515 05)
2018
Graphite, ink on paper
3 × 3 inches
Untitled (180515 06)
2018
Graphite, ink on paper
3 × 3 inches
Formal Artifact (180719)
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
46 × 46 inches
Formal Artifact (180713)
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
46 × 46 inches
Systems (180108)
2018
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
46 × 46 inches
Reference Point (171017)
2017
Mixed media, acrylic on canvas
46 × 46 inches
Mixed Messages (171009)
2017
Graphite, color pencil, enamel, acrylic on canvas
46 × 46 inches
What Becomes (171008)
2017
Graphite, color pencil, enamel, acrylic on canvas
46 × 46 inches
Artist Statement
When first observing my art, viewers are confronted with an aesthetic that is honest and uncomplicated, composed of understated color, line, gesture, and geometry. These outward characteristics recall geometric modernist paintings, direct and formal in appearance. However, upon closer inspection, layered surface qualities challenge this initial response and elicit questions of materiality, textural subtleties, and a patina that displays visible traces of development. This balance of directness and intricacy forms an explorative dialogue, one in which the viewer is engaged by the whole of the work, then is drawn in through discovery.
Employing abstracted references, my art shapes questions of time, place, and object. It is a visceral response that echoes emotive reactions that I experience when defining inspiration. It is a reflection of artifacts in the built environment and a nostalgic reference to landscapes; not in a pictorial sense, but rather in a recontextualized memory of places that I have inhabited. Within my work I balance formal concerns while seeking out the sublime in the ordinary, in objects and spaces overlooked, too mundane to be of importance.
Bio
Originally from Chicago, Ed Brandt received a BA from Lewis University concentrating in both fine art and graphic design. Upon graduation he began a career as a graphic designer, founding his own company five years later, serving clients from diverse industries nationwide. Throughout this time, he continued his studio practice, exhibiting in both group and solo exhibitions. With a passion for education, he also served as adjunct professor and continuing education instructor teaching a variety of fine art, graphic design, and technical courses.
Returning to school to pursue a graduate degree in the fine arts, Ed received an MFA from The University of New Mexico with a focus in painting and drawing. Upon graduation, he helped found UNM Art’s graphic design concentration while serving as Professor of Practice. He continues to educate the next generation of creative thinkers as Assistant Professor of Graphic Design with the Department of Expressive Arts at Western New Mexico University.
With an active studio practice, Ed explores the influence of design on perceived aesthetics through works that convey emotive references to the built environment, objects, and recontextualized memories of place. He strives to balance formal concerns while seeking out the sublime in the ordinary. Ed’s fine art is represented by Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2017Master of Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
1994Bachelor of Arts, Concentration in Fine Art and Design, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
Solo and Two-Person Exhibitions
2019Temporal Arrangement, Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
2017Palimpsest, CFA Downtown Studio, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2017Journey: Here and Onward, Norbertine Community of Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey, Albuquerque, NM*
2017Fall Group Show, Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
2017Salon des Refusés, Masley Art Gallery, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2016Verge: Shaping the Photograph, John Sommers Gallery, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2016Excavated, Tamarind Institute, Albuquerque, NM
2016ARTE Juried Exhibit, Masley Art Gallery, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM*
2015Connectivity: The 21st Annual Juried Graduate Exhibition, Clinton Adams Gallery, UNM Art Museum, Albuquerque, NM*
2014At First Sight, SCA Contemporary Art, Albuquerque, NM
2013President’s 5th Annual Art Show, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
2011The Rail Yard Exhibit, KiMo Theatre Art Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
2008The Eyes Have It Group Show, South Broadway Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM
2007Recent Works Showing, The Johnson’s of Madrid Galleries of Fine and Fiber Art, Madrid, NM
2007The Eyes Have It Group Show, EXPO New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2006The Eyes Have It Group Show, EXPO New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2006The Eyes Have It Group Show, Arts Alliance Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
*Juried Exhibitions
Professional Experience
2020-PresentAssistant Professor, Graphic Design, Department of Expressive Arts, Western New Mexico Univeristy, Silver City, NM
2018-2020Professor of Practice, Graphic Design, Department of Art, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2018Adjunct Lecturer, Creative Design Thinking, Department of Cinematic Arts, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2014–2017Graduate Teaching Assistant, Painting and Drawing (Instructor of Record), The University of New Mexico, Department of Art and Art History, Albuquerque, NM
2011–PresentIndependent Graphic Designer and Consultant, Silver City, NM
2011–2017Instructor, Digital Arts, The University of New Mexico Continuing Education, Albuquerque, NM
1999–2011Owner, Square15 Inc., Albuquerque, NM
1997–1998Adjunct Professor, Painting, Department of Art and Design, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
1994–1999Art Department Co-Manager, Graphic Designer, IT Manager, The Forms Group, Itasca, IL
University Services
2020-PresentCommittee Member, Assessment, Western New Mexico University, Silver City, NM
2019-2020Faculty advisor, Graduate Art Association, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2018–2019Committee member, graphic design, Art90, University of New Mexico Art Department’s 90th Anniversary event, design and promotion
2015–2016Vice President, Volunteer, Graduate Art Association, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Professional Services
2021Creatures of the Gila, Grant County Art Guild, Silver City, NM
Presentations
2015M2 Meeting of the Minds, Presentation and Discussion, UNM Art Museum, Albuquerque, NM
Commissions
1997Health Care At Home, Hinsdale, IL. Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches
Collections
Southeastern Community College, IA
The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
Bibliography
Nancy Zastudil. Open Operation. Forward, Palimpsest Graduate Exhibition Catalogue. 2017.
Kelly Koepke. Art Buzz. Local Flavor Magazine, localflavormagazine.com. May 2, 2016.
James K. Ballinger. Connectivity. Forward, The 21st Annual Juried Graduate Exhibition Catalogue. 2015.