Lorelee Wederstrom
Fine Art Photographer
Former Director of Facilities & Capital Planning for the Health Sciences (Retired 2016)
Nature’s impact on our health and well being are inextricably linked. By now, a great number of studies show the benefit to humans of spending time in nature.….physically, emotionally and spiritually. In healthcare environments where patients and families benefit from representations of calm and relaxed imagery, in learning institutions where exposure to the natural world can reduce fatigue and stress and in the corporate work world, a visual feast of nature can be transforming.
The amount of “green space” in these environments present unique opportunities for artists to supply their own perspective of nature’s gifts. I invite you to walk this gallery of “Fields and Clouds” and simply absorb; or create time for the reflections that suit you……physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Artist Statement
As a professional planner for almost 20 years at the University of Minnesota, I had the unique privilege of working on a team of health science education leaders who first envisioned this building. The building, as a dedicated center for inter professional health sciences learning and discovery, was years in the making. In 2014-2015, just before my retirement, I worked with our selected predesign team to oversee the program development, site selection, concept design and construction study; a work that would eventually be approved by the Board of Regents, sent to the legislature for funding, and enacted.
It is a true honor for me to have my work installed in this building.
As a fine art photographer, I offer this statement on behalf of all of my work:
Photography is a means of seeing and experiencing what I perceive as beautiful. It's a vehicle that allows me to imagine and express my connection with what I think of as essence, or energy, in my world. I believe that the human spirit is inextricably linked to the natural world and that we are nourished by this relationship, however we individually define or experience it. My purpose as a photographer is to explore and deepen this collaboration with nature for myself in order to share it with others and, in that way, to cultivate a deeper relationship for all of us.
Follow more of Lorelee's work at www.loreleewederstrom.com
The Fields & Clouds Gallery is on HSEC 7th floor, near the Wellbeing Studio.