Larry Clifford – Flyleaf Gallery
Larry’s “BiblioQuilts” are created from damaged or distressed books that were salvaged from basements, attics, and public libraries throughout New England. He repurposes every part of every book—the covers, the pages, the spines—breathing new life into those materials with the addition of dyes, inks, and acrylics. Quilts made from repurposed cloth are nothing new. But the combination of mixed media and repurposed books yields a totally new look. Each piece is comprised of hundreds-to-thousands of ‘tiles’ that were harvested from hardcover books that no one has read or paid attention to in decades. Most were on their way to the landfill.
The work combines two of the artist’s lifelong passions: visual art and literature. When he wasn’t running around outside as a kid growing up in suburban Boston, he could be found reading at his local library. This led to him collecting old, neglected books that he considers beautiful or interesting (although not necessarily valuable)–a hobby that continues to this day. After earning a B.A. in Art from Northwestern University then an M.A. in Biomedical Communications from the University of Texas, Larry spent 15 years producing award-winning biomedical illustrations, with an emphasis on traditional media like pen-and-ink, carbon dust, and watercolor. At this stage of his career, he’s thrilled to be getting back to his roots as a maker of fine art.