Wall Clock c. 1938

Lawrence Phillips's Wall Clock, of indeterminate date, gives us pause to consider the cultural weight of timekeeping. Born in 1855, Phillips lived through an era of unprecedented industrialization. The regulation of time became critical to the functioning of factories, railroads, and, ultimately, the lives of working people. The clock, rendered with careful precision, evokes the domestic sphere, contrasting with the large clocks that regulated entire industries. Yet, even in the home, the clock's presence subtly imposed a disciplined schedule. Who benefits from this regulation? Whose time is valued? It is tempting to reflect on the emotional experience of time; how it can feel like a burden when one is working, and a luxury when one is at leisure. This Wall Clock reminds us that time is not merely measured, it is lived.