2008 Woodie Awards
Visiting graphic design artist illustrates war weaponry
Kelly MacDonald, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/14/06
Last Updated: 12/26/07
Graphic designer David Brodeur thinks his art can change someone's perspective.
"I don't expect to change peoples mind," Brodeur said in his presentation at the Koehler Gallery on Nov. 7. "But if I can touch one person, then I'm satisfied."
Brodeur, a graphic design professor at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, is the current featured artist in the Koehler Gallery. The display is a collection of all digitally-rendered work. When a person walks into the Koehler Gallery and sees the work of Brodeur they might be surprised to see pictures of ammunition and bombs in near life-size. The pieces vary in size and appearance but there is a resounding theme of war.
The collection, called "Lubricating the War Machine," is Brodeur's attempt to educate his viewers on the dangerous component in the weapons of war. The placards posted next to his pieces describe how depleted uranium, a by-product of uranium enrichment, is used in artillery. Depleted uranium is heavier and stronger than steel.
Brodeur attests that 250 to 300 tons of uranium can be found in the deserts of the Middle East.
He suspects the increase in birth defects and the Gulf War syndrome are possible side-effects of this by-product.
Brodeur began his career as a professional graphic designer creating commercial images such as playing cards and clock faces. He has since discovered his passion in graphic design as a traditional art form. His previous work includes a collection called "Medieval Port-a-Potty" which was a satirical look at the modern consumer culture that values temporary over long-lasting fulfillment.
His work in weapons study did not begin until 2003 when he became enthralled by the war in Iraq and its negative impact on society, both at home and in the Middle East. After further research he decided that he wanted people to know what he had found.
"Sometimes there's things that happen that affect peoples lives," he said in his lecture, referring to the depleted uranium. "Maybe we should talk about it."
"I don't expect to change peoples mind," Brodeur said in his presentation at the Koehler Gallery on Nov. 7. "But if I can touch one person, then I'm satisfied."
Brodeur, a graphic design professor at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, is the current featured artist in the Koehler Gallery. The display is a collection of all digitally-rendered work. When a person walks into the Koehler Gallery and sees the work of Brodeur they might be surprised to see pictures of ammunition and bombs in near life-size. The pieces vary in size and appearance but there is a resounding theme of war.
The collection, called "Lubricating the War Machine," is Brodeur's attempt to educate his viewers on the dangerous component in the weapons of war. The placards posted next to his pieces describe how depleted uranium, a by-product of uranium enrichment, is used in artillery. Depleted uranium is heavier and stronger than steel.
Brodeur attests that 250 to 300 tons of uranium can be found in the deserts of the Middle East.
He suspects the increase in birth defects and the Gulf War syndrome are possible side-effects of this by-product.
Brodeur began his career as a professional graphic designer creating commercial images such as playing cards and clock faces. He has since discovered his passion in graphic design as a traditional art form. His previous work includes a collection called "Medieval Port-a-Potty" which was a satirical look at the modern consumer culture that values temporary over long-lasting fulfillment.
His work in weapons study did not begin until 2003 when he became enthralled by the war in Iraq and its negative impact on society, both at home and in the Middle East. After further research he decided that he wanted people to know what he had found.
"Sometimes there's things that happen that affect peoples lives," he said in his lecture, referring to the depleted uranium. "Maybe we should talk about it."
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