The Shift 2002

Claude Lawrence made this painting, The Shift, using gouache on paper. The painting presents a window-like structure framing a figure. Note the bright yellow and the stick-like figure, which seems to be emerging from a brightly lit, yet confined space. Lawrence was a New-York based artist, active in the 1970s and onwards, whose work often combined abstraction with figuration. Made in the USA, a country that was undergoing significant social and political change during this period, this artwork could be interpreted as a commentary on social mobility, transition, and the shifting dynamics of American society. Lawrence may have been influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the evolving urban landscape of New York. Understanding Lawrence’s artistic choices requires us to examine the cultural and historical context of the work, from exhibition records to social theory. This helps us see how art plays a public role, reflecting and challenging the norms of its time.