“Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) presents Clifford Ward: I’ll Make Me a World, an exhibition guest curated by Noah Smalls, which are on view in the Museum Building from May 18, 2025 through January 11, 2026. Spanning over a decade of creative work, much of which was created at Clifford Ward’s studio on the GFS campus, this exhibition presents a rich tapestry of themes and concepts in his expansive practice. Ward is inspired by a diverse array of cultural influences, including contributions from the African diaspora, Australian Aboriginal people, and Native American and Māori cultures. His work often explores geometry, Cubism, mythology, and anthropomorphism. Together, these myriad influences, themes and concepts transcend temporal and geographical confines, resonating with the collective human experience.” — Grounds For Sculpture

“Having always felt the inclination to create, I made a significant piece one night using a long balloon wrapped around a cranberry juice jar, applied paper mâché, and painted it. This simple piece was the impetus that changed my life—leading to my becoming a professional artist,” remarked Clifford Ward. “Since then, I’ve expanded this technique to create wall reliefs and figures ranging from six feet to nine feet, and I look forward to sharing approximately 60 works that use this technique at my upcoming exhibition at Ground For Sculpture.”

“I am deeply honored to curate this exhibition alongside Clifford Ward, whose unwavering vision and dedication to his masterful artistic practice has been a constant source of inspiration throughout this project,” added the exhibition’s curator, Noah Smalls. “Much of the work Clifford has created over the past decade has never been exhibited before, and it is with great excitement that I look forward to sharing these extraordinary pieces with the GFS community and audiences beyond.”

Images courtesy Grounds For Sculpture.