Clock c. 1936

Lawrence Phillips made this drawing of a clock sometime between the late 1800s and early 1900s. The wood of this object looks heavy and solid. The artist captures the intricacies of the wood, focusing on grain and color. I am thinking about how the practice of rendering everyday objects invites a sense of reverence and respect for craftsmanship and design. The details feel like a language in themselves, conveying a sense of cultural identity, tradition, and belonging. The geometrical pattern in the mid-section is fascinating. Maybe the clockmaker had seen tiled floors in grand houses, and wanted the same beauty for his clock? Phillips’s drawing might be an homage to this unknown maker. Ultimately, Phillips shows how artists are always in conversation with one another, echoing, responding to, and building upon the creative ideas of those who came before. His drawing reminds us that every piece of art is part of a larger, ongoing story.