I understand landscape as embodied history. Memories, dreams or reflections embody the tension of opposites found in the concept of nature. In palimpsests, the intermingling of paint, wax and newsprint creates a tension between the past and present, field and ground. In this way, time and space are fluid in the landscape.
Short Bio/CV
Joseph Abbott Maurer is a multi media artist committed to a love of a place-based art. His experience as a team member and solo artist spans from significant international projects like the London Olympic Park to community-focused initiatives in his Midwestern home town of Eau Claire. An award-winning painter, educator, and public artist, Joseph continues to inspire and innovate in both landscape and visual arts.
Select Solo Shows
* 2024: Animal Dreams - Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, WI
* 2023: Too Big to Fly - LE Phillips Memorial Library, Eau Claire, WI
* 2020: Midwestern Palimpsests - Oxbow Hotel, Eau Claire, WI
* 2019: Paintings From Nature - Volume One Gallery and The Local Store, Eau Claire, WI
* 2016: New Paintings - Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center, Prescott, WI
Select Awards & Group Shows
* 2024
Motherly - Pablo Center at the Confluence, Eau Claire, WI
INSIDE/OUTSIDE - LE Phillips Memorial Library, Eau Claire, WI
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES - Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls
* 2023
Spring Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley Pablo Center at the Confluence - Best of Show and First Place Quick Paint
* 2022
Spring Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley - First Place, Best in Show Quick Paint
Finalist Hasenbank Public Art RFP
Fall Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley - Best River
* 2021
Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley - Third Place, First Place Quick Paint
* 2020
Street Beetle - Public Art Grant, Wisconsin State Arts Board
* 2019
First Place Quick Paint - Go Paint Plein Air Chippewa Valley
* 2012: Arts West - Honorable Mention
* 2010: Arts West - Honorable Mention
* 1994: First Place Painting, Group Show, Art Barn, Osceola, Wisconsin
Select Public Art Projects
* The Street Beetle, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, WI | Co-Built/design COVID safe conversation space with repurposed ash. Utilized ship building techniques to bend girders.
* Butterfly Pavilion, Beaver Creek Reserve - Fall Creek, WI | 2019
Designed and oversaw construction of pavilion dedicated to the conservation and education of native butterfly species. Utilized repurposed wood.
* Forest St. Community Garden Pavilion - Eau Claire, WI | 2013
Designed a community pavilion that serves as a gathering space within the Eau Claire Community Garden.Utilized repurposed wood.
* London Olympic Park - London, UK | Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architects 2006-2008
Part of the design team for the landscape architecture of the London Olympic Park, focusing on ecological integration and public accessibility.
* Arlington Sewage Treatment Plant - Arlington, VA | 2006
Public art team member with Leader Mary Miss, focusing on environmental awareness through landscape design and public art.
Education
Master of Landscape Architecture
University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA 2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art
Minneapolis College of Art and Design - Minneapolis, MN 1999
Professional Experience
Multimedia Artist
, Timber Space Eau Claire LLC - Eau Claire, WI
2020 - Present
* Co-founded Timber Space Eau Claire LLC, a public art practice, with Tim Burdnicki.
* Directed and produced a documentary on native remnant prairies for The Prairie Enthusiasts.
* Designed and managed various public art and landscape projects, including the Butterfly Pavilion at Beaver Creek Reserve, opened in Spring 2019.
Artist in Residence,
The Coven - Eau Claire, WI
2024- current
Artist in Residence, Christ Church Cathedreal - Eau Claire, WI 2016
Associate,
Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architects - Various Locations
2006 - 2008
* Contributed to the design of the London Olympic Park and various landscape projects in New York City.
* Worked closely with teams to integrate ecological principles into large-scale urban landscapes.
* Project Management / Design for Dickinson School of Law
Instructor, Department of Landscape Architecture
, University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA
2004 - 2008
* Taught graduate-level courses in landscape architecture, focusing on design principles, ecological restoration, and public art integration.
* Mentored students and contributed to the development of the department's curriculum.
Designer
, Mary Miss Studio - New York City
2004-2006
* Collaborated with renowned public artist Mary Miss on a large-scale public art and landscape project at Arlington Sewage Treatment Plant.
* Integrated artistic elements with environmental infrastructure to create a meaningful public space.
Producer, PBS and Freelance
* Co-founded Wisconsin Based Farm and Food Program Around the Farm Table for PBS Broadcasting 2012-2015
* Created Documentary for The Prairie Enthusiasts 2016
Community Involvement
* Co-Founder Forest St Community Garden
Regularly participates in community gardening and prairie conservation efforts in Eau Claire, WI.
* Commissioner Parks And Waterways Commission, City of Eau Claire 2021-Current
* Committee Member, Eau Claire Public Library Arts Committee, City of Eau Claire
* Steering Committee, West Side Neighborhood Association, Eau Claire
Skills
* Landscape Design - software proficiency: Rhino 8, Grasshopper, Adobe Suite
* Public Art & Ecological Design
* Painting & Visual Arts
* Teaching & Mentorship
* Documentary Production
* Community Engagement & Advocacy
References available upon request.