Mindy Lam Digital Catalogue - Flipbook - Page 33
In 1899, the New York Times noted, “There is something delightfully vague about the term
‘curiosity shop.’ It may mean so much and so little.”
Indeed, in looking at the painting The Curiosity Shop, there is so much going on, but there is also an
aura of delightfully vague confusion. And the confusion takes place in an equally as delightful blur
of color, with flowers and intricate patterns alive in the rugs and materials surrounding the women.
Likewise, Mindy uses color as well as flowers in her counterpart pieces with the prominence of
intricate patterns in her composition and weaving. She has chosen to present these pieces on
a silver salver, in much the same way that fine jewelry would have been presented to women of
similar social stature as the two in the painting.
Above: Johann Hamza (Austrian, 1850-1927), The Curiosity Shop (detail), 1921, Oil on panel, Taubman Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Anne
Funkhouser Francis, 1967.146; Opposite page (left to right): Golden Imperial Fantasy: Lapel, 14kt. gold-filled wire, Swarovski crystals, Swarovski
crystal pearls, vintage brooch; Golden Imperial Fantasy: Metal Lace Brooch, 14kt. gold-filled wire, Swarovski crystal pearls; Golden Imperial
Fantasy: Rubellite Rings, Rubellite, citrine, vintage rhinestones, 14kt. gold-filled ring; all courtesy of the artist
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