Former Lead Singer Debuts 'Survival' Art Exhibit In Pottstown

POTTSTOWN, PA -- Local artist J.L. Brandt will be exhibiting his expressionist artwork at the Proximity Café, at 1450 East High St in Pottstown, for two months beginning on May 3.

Jeff Brandt began studying art at the age of 12 and then after high school graduation, went on to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. One year later, he made the decision to leave his formal art education to pursue his musical interests. He moved to the Lower East Side of New York City (NYC) where he became the lead singer and lyricist for the iconic ‘80s band, PubLiC NuISAncE.

After living a very adventurous but traumatic life in NYC and Pennsylvania, Jeff was finally diagnosed at the age of 48 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, early childhood brain damage, and severe depression. After receiving his diagnosis, rather than wallow in self-pity, Jeff chose to return to his childhood passion and began

painting again after a twenty-five year hiatus. Jeff’s painting and self-expression have been instrumental in helping him accept his diagnoses and overcome his long-term depression. Over the last twenty-one months months Jeff has created an impressive portfolio of paintings.

His art combines impressionism and expressionism styles with unique interpretations of perspective, color and space that are enhanced by his brain damage and autism. He specializes in cityscapes which reflect his real life experiences living and surviving in the squats of NYC, as well as vibrant landscapes that reflect the dreams and fantasies he created in his mind to escape the day to day hardships on the Lower East Side of NYC.

Jeff works with Watercolors, Oils and Acrylics using hand stretched canvases and three-quarter inch wooden boards. He has sold his work to collectors in Chicago, LA and New York City. His work has been displayed at the Rivington Music Rehearsal Studios in New York City and the Greenpoint Gallery in Brooklyn, New York.

Jeff is also the co-writer of a book called, Winter Trees, a book of fiction inspired by true events in his life due out in 2016.

The public is invited to a Meet the Artist Event to be held at the Proximity Café on May 15th, 2016 from 12-3 pm.