What's Lost

Joe Brenman

Philadelphia, PA

I served as a soldier in the Vietnam war.  Even though my company was not in combat, my experience in that war has compelled me to express my opposition to war through my art.  The painting I created for the mural came from a photograph  I saw of an Afghan woman who lost her leg in the war.  I was drawn to this picture and the people in it because it showed their resiliency and ability to move forward despite the terrible losses they suffered.

I think it's important for us to be aware of the violence and destruction that's being done by our country with our tax dollars, and to see and know the people whose lives are being destroyd by the war.  I believe art has the ability to reach people and speak to them in ways that other forms of communication can't.  It is my hope that people seeing this mural will look for ways to work for peace.  

Biography:

Joe Brenman graduated from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1978. His sculpture work has been in numerous one man and group shows throughout the region, country and world. His public sculptures and murals can be found in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. His work is also in many private collections.