Off the Shelf: Lawrence Clifford

September 20 – December 28, 2024

Off the Shelf showcases the work of Maine-based artist Lawrence Clifford. The artist’s mosaic panels have a linear structure of order and sequence created by deconstructing antique books to give them new life as works of art. Clifford’s artistic background in realistic anatomical illustration informs his current practice, which is intentional and exacting but looser and less representational.  

The artist salvages outworn books and carefully selects parts that are fashioned into hard geometric shapes. Clifford says, “the books almost suggest the pattern and the palette for the artwork.” Clifford is receptive to what the reclaimed materials offer while preserving the true and natural colors, dyes, textures and patinas of the existing books.  

Clifford’s objective is to honor these reading materials by reinventing them as artwork. The artist’s latest panels, Path of Totality I, II, and III, were inspired by the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024. Clifford used color to depict the movement of the phases of the eclipse. 

LAWRENCE CLIFFORD (American, born 1958). Horatio III, 2023. Repurposed books and mixed media. Courtesy of the artist.
LAWRENCE CLIFFORD (American, born 1958). Path of Totality (part of triptych), 2023. Repurposed books and mixed media. Courtesy of the artist.