MATTHEW BAUMGARDNER

The subjects, forms, and material of Baumgardner’s work reflect his unique eye for the beauty and appreciation for nature. He felt inspired by the four elements – earth, water, air, and fire, believing they grounded our human experience while connecting us to spiritual forces beyond our immediate perception.

 

Since 2019, Furman University’s Art department has worked alongside the Matthew Clay Baumgardner estate, providing students opportunities to study the art and archives of this nationally recognized visual artist. Curatorial courses and summer undergraduate research fellows have created a series of exhibitions exploring Baumgardner’s paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. This website serves as a repository for their work, along with a selection of primary sources that we hope will facilitate other researchers interested Baumgardner’s art.