Mindy Lam Digital Catalogue - Flipbook - Page 26
While our Fralin Center for American Art hosts works that allowed Mindy to connect to art of the
nineteenth century, Mindy is equally as adept at transporting the viewer forward to pieces that
represent more recent creations. Sterling Forest Water Lily I by Lawrence Beck, a C-print photograph
mounted on aluminum, is a perfect example.
Known for using the beauty of the natural world to tell his stories, Lawrence Beck’s water lilies series
from 2007 remind us that nature can feel equally as ephemeral whether captured at the tip of a
paintbrush in Monet’s garden or through the lens of a camera a century later.
Throughout history, cultures have associated water lilies with providing spiritual connections to the
universe. Some cultures believe the plants represent enlightenment, others see purity in a water
lily, while others associate the plants with resurrection. White water lilies, however, are almost
universally seen as being symbols of peace, promoting mindfulness and tranquility.
While capturing the full essence of Lawrence’s study, however, Mindy’s creation includes an
additional item not seen in Lawrence’s work: a lively frog, reminding us that in the midst of peace,
there is always a spark of vibrant life to be found.
