ARTIST STATEMENT
Ann Gorman
My artistic practice is rooted in slowing down. I use Miksang photography—also known as contemplative photography—as a way to engage deeply with the world around me. This practice teaches me to see freshly, without assumptions, and to notice the beauty in everyday moments: the curve of a stem, the shadow of a bee’s wing, the texture of a leaf after rain. Through this lens, even the smallest elements of nature become powerful reminders of connection and care.
My work is driven by two central themes: the importance of preserving our environment and the healing potential of art. As a former clinical pharmacist and public health professional, I’ve seen firsthand the deep links between human health and the health of our ecosystems. My photography reflects those connections, often focusing on pollinators, native plants, and the shifting seasons. These subjects are not only visually rich—they are essential to the balance of life.
For In Praise of Pollinators, I selected images to represent multiple types of pollinators. Images include honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, mason bees, leaf cutter bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies. I also included pollinators in their larvae and pupa forms as a reminder that pollinators’ lifecycles can be complex. Please help our precious pollinators by planting flowers, providing homes by building habitat, taking climate action, and/or collecting data for citizen science projects.
In recent years, I’ve expanded my practice to include poetry and written reflections that emerge from time spent in nature. These pairings of image and text allow me to more fully express the emotional and spiritual resonance of a moment. I also work to bring this approach into community spaces, offering workshops that combine mindfulness, creativity, and environmental awareness—especially for children.
Ultimately, my goal is to encourage others to see the world with fresh eyes and an open heart. Whether through a photograph, a poem, or a shared creative experience, I hope my work reminds people of the small wonders that surround us—and the importance of protecting them.
About the Artist
Ann Gorman is a visual artist and contemplative photographer based in Bemidji, Minnesota. Her work explores the quiet beauty of everyday life through mindful observation of the natural world. Drawing on her background in public health and her deep connection to the outdoors, Ann uses her camera to celebrate the relationships between health, habitat, and community. She is especially inspired by pollinators, native plants, and seasonal cycles, translating those themes into both photographs and poetic responses. Her work invites viewers to slow down, look closely, and rediscover a sense of wonder in the ordinary.
This activity is made possible, in part, by a Region 2 Arts Council Artist Support Grant with funding from the McKnight Foundation.