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Clifford was born in Peace River, Alberta on April 26, 1946. His mother was full Cree and his father was an English fur trader.
The Peace River, alive with cargo and trader ships, was the lifeline of many northern communities. It was on a Peace River steamboat that Clifford and his family traveled northward, 200 miles to Fort Vermillion. Life north of the 58th parallel was tuned to the natural environment and the elements of survival. As a youth Clifford remembers many hours spent running along the shores of the Peace River with his dog, checking his trap lines and rabbit snares, which were sources of their winter diet. The teachings and stories of his grandfather closely knitted him to the spirit of the land and its wildlife; a young man enriched by the two cultures, sharing Canada's north. After Clifford left his rural setting and experienced the harsh realities of an urban lifestyle, he found that adjusting became a very negative and painful experience, which led him through a number of jobs that never filled the void. In 1978, Clifford discovered a new ability while whittling on a piece of driftwood. With time and practice, his hands found the talent of sculpting. Then with encouragement from family and friends, he approached galleries and received a very positive response. Involvement in the art community revealed new techniques and perspectives of carving, specifically in the medium of stone, and there Clifford found his greatest expression. With tool in hand, he gives freedom to movement, emotion and soul. The detailed sculptures are of a man and his family, of man and animals. They reveal the relationships that encompass man and nature, influenced by Cree heritage, adaptation to an urban culture, and most vividly, Christianity. At this point in time, Clifford feels that he is going through a transition period in his artwork, which is consistent with an artist's growth. The movement, space and lines take on a greater significance, as they blend with the traditional roots and influences of Clifford's heritage. Clifford's works are in the homes of many collectors throughout North America and Europe. |
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