ORLANDO, Fla. — Installation has begun on what promises to be an inspiring art installation by internationally acclaimed artist JEFRË that will face Interstate 4 on the exterior of AdventHealth's Innovation Tower parking garage on AdventHealth’s flagship Orlando campus.
This monumental piece will honor the hope, positivity and gratitude at the heart of health care.
JEFRË's visionary design is the first of its kind in the world and will gradually take shape over the next several weeks. Aluminum pieces will represent a series of folded notes of prayers, well wishes and words of inspiration and encouragement for patients as well as heartfelt thank you messages to dedicated health care professionals. The cards and blessings will wrap around the facade of the garage and flow onto the side of the building. At night, the cards will serve as a canvas for projections of lighted well wishes and will match other AdventHealth Orlando campus lighting colors and be illuminated for certain awareness observances.
“We are honored to collaborate with JEFRË on this transformative project,” said Rob Deininger, chief executive officer at AdventHealth Orlando. “In the midst of adversity, art has the power to uplift spirits and foster healing. This installation is a testament to our commitment to whole-person care and the profound impact of art in healing environments.”
JEFRË's unparalleled ability to merge artistry with purpose has garnered international acclaim, with his works adorning public spaces, cultural institutions and urban landscapes around the globe. Through innovative techniques and a keen understanding of the human experience, JEFRË's creations transcend mere aesthetics, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter them.
“I am thrilled to work with the AdventHealth community to see our vision come to life that will be seen by millions of visitors along I-4,” said JEFRË. “This artwork is simply a gift of words of gratitude to the health care community and words of hope and strength to the patients and families. It represents more than just aesthetic beauty; it embodies the spirit of compassion and resilience that defines our health care community.”
Upon completion of the installation, AdventHealth will host a special lighting and dedication ceremony to celebrate this monumental achievement. The ceremony will serve as a testament to AdventHealth's ongoing commitment to fostering healing, hope, and gratitude within the communities it serves.
AdventHealth previously partnered with JEFRË on his debut solo show at the Orlando Museum of Art and two large sculptures on the AdventHealth Winter Park campus. The main gateway sculpture is a 20-foot diameter halo made of mirror stainless steel engraved with the Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11. A second sculpture features stacked “ER” letters to serve as a visual cue to the hospital’s Emergency Department.
About the artist
JEFRË studied at the Art Institute of Chicago prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University. He has constructed numerous site-specific artworks in cities around the world including London, Manila, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Abu Dhabi and San Antonio. JEFRË was named one of seven “Faces of Design” by Florida Inside Out Architecture Magazine for his environmental art and couture landscapes. His work has been featured in numerous publications such as NY Times, CNN, Elle and L Official. As an artist and city building initiator, his design solutions originate from a deep understanding of the historical, environmental, social and contextual relationships influencing the site, people and the architecture. He has exhibited in numerous museums and institutions around the world and is currently completing his largest icon soaring 28 stories tall. It will be the tallest public art sculpture in his homeland, the Philippines.