Artist Commissioned for Pavilion Sculpture
May 15, 2018
(ST. JOSEPH) – Casto Solano, an artist from the Basque Country in northern Spain, was recently commissioned to create a sculpture dedicated to the health and well-being of our community which will live at the heart of the Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion. Community members, Lynn and Mike Todman, donated $100,000 to fund the piece. The sculpture, to be unveiled when the Pavilion is completed in 2020, depicts two hands meeting – a handshake of peace, togetherness, and learning – their fingertips touching and curling together like two strands of genetic code.
“Lakeland Health has inspired me to create an artwork that represents the very best of us and our species,” said Solano. “This is because medical facilities epitomize our finest qualities. The commitment to advancing and sharing knowledge so as to cure, heal, and assuage pain. The commitment to treat each person as an end in themselves; as a complete, unique living being. The commitment to better ourselves for the benefit of all.”
“It is our hope that the artwork will move and inspire all who enter Lakeland,” said Michael Todman, a member of the Lakeland Board of Directors and retired Vice Chairman of Whirlpool Corporation. “We want Lakeland to be a place where people of all backgrounds feel welcomed and cared for.”
In 1984, Solano won his first public commission and installed his sculpture, 'Freedom,' on the streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Since then his sculptural career has included a number of works in public spaces throughout Spain and in other parts of the world including Canada, France, South Korea, Seattle, and Minnesota.
To date, community members have donated nearly $5.2 million in support of the Pavilion. For continued updates on the project, including architectural animations, visit www.lakelandhealth.org/pavilion. To learn more about how you can support the project, contact the Lakeland Health Foundations at (269) 927-5143 or visit www.lakelandhealthfoundations.org