Farnsworth Mural Project

Gulf of Maine Pictographs No. 1
The Farnsworth Art Museum is excited to announce the Farnsworth Mural Project 2025, a transformative new mural by renowned artist, writer, and naturalist James Prosek (b. 1975).  Prosek, who has long been captivated by the landscapes of Maine and its rich ecosystems, is known for blending contemporary art with science and nature.  Since childhood, he has been fascinated with the biodiversity of Maine, especially the blueback trout (a relict population of Arctic Char native to only a handful of lakes in Northern Maine). This interest has blossomed into larger research and artistic projects. 

For the Farnsworth’s 2025 mural project entitled Gulf of Maine Pictographs No. 1, he studied the exchange of life and biomass between the land and sea (in this case, the Gulf of Maine). The mural transports viewers from land to sea and features a series of large-scale silhouettes—one of his signature styles—of organisms who inhabit this region. In all his works, Prosek raises questions about the changing environment, its interconnectedness, and exchange, and how we communicate the holistic world through systems of naming and ordering.

“We are thrilled to introduce James Prosek’s visionary work to the Midcoast,” said Farnsworth Executive Director Christopher J. Brownawell. “We are excited to continue the tradition of bringing impactful, site-specific murals to our community, and we look forward to sharing this next chapter in Prosek’s artistic journey.”

By placing art in public spaces, the Farnsworth aims to break down the traditional boundaries of where and how art is experienced. This exciting project invites artists with long-standing ties to Maine to transform the exterior of the Wyeth Study Center into a vibrant, large-scale work of art, bringing the Museum’s mission beyond its walls and into the everyday lives of the community. Prosek painted the mural side-by-side with a team of local muralists.

“James Prosek’s art has a remarkable ability to bridge the realms of art, science, and the natural world,” said Chief Curator Jaime DeSimone. “This project offers a powerful reflection on the natural world and the intricate relationships within Maine’s ecosystems.”

ABOUT THE FARNSWORTH ART MUSEUM
The Farnsworth Art Museum offers a nationally recognized collection of works from many of America’s greatest artists. It is open year-round as the only museum dedicated solely to American- and Maine-inspired art.  Through its remarkable collection of more than 16,000 works, inventive exhibitions, wide-ranging intellectual resources, and energetic educational programming, visitors from around the world gain a deep appreciation of the ongoing story of Maine’s role in American art. More information about the museum can be found at www.farnsworthmuseum.org.


Artists on Art talk from May 14, 2025

 
 

May 17, 2025 – May 7, 2027
Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, Maine

More About the Exhibition


Exhibition Artwork

Installation Photos (Batch 1)

Installation Photos (Batch 2)

James Prosek (born 1975), Gulf of Maine Pictographs No. 1, 2025. Paint, approximately 90 ft x 15 ft, Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, ME. ⓒ James Prosek. Photo by Dave Waddell.

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