1980 Waldmire Pictorial Map of the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana, Illinois

A wonderfully composed 1980 Bob Waldmire illustration of the University of Illinois, Champaign, Urbana, combining aspects of a map, a diorama, a view, and a calendar. Waldmire's inimitable style celebrates Champaign, Urbana, the University of Illinois, and Illinois in general while simultaneously delivering a scathing criticism of society's abuse of the environment, Indigenous people, and ourselves.

A Closer Look

The densely annotated illustration's story begins in the upper left, with a calendar of the academic year at the University of Illinois running parallel to a series of maps, each of which zooms in exponentially from the Universe to a detailed map of Illinois. From there, the image expands, detailing local businesses, cultural icons, historical facts, and folklore while lamenting the environmental damage caused by industrialization and development. This example is partially colored, possibly by Waldmire's own hand, as it matches the style and precision of other colored Waldmire works.

Publication History and Census

Drawn and published by Robert Waldmire in 1980, this is one of Waldmire's rarest works. We see just one cataloged example located at the Illinois State Museum Library.