Ladder Fire by Christopher Fennell

Installation Date: 2009

Location: Clearwater Fire Rescue Station 48, 1700 N. Belcher Rd.

"Ladder Fire" by Christopher Fennell is a public art sculpture by Christopher Fennell that serves as a memorial to the sacrifices firefighters make to save our lives. Commissioned by the city of Clearwater, this sculpture represents a torch, a single flame made from the iconic ladders, giving motion and life to the rigid frames, juxtaposing the organic with the man-made. 

The sculpture stands at 8-by-8 feet tall and was created using recycled materials such as aluminum ladders.

About the Artist:

Artist Christopher Fennell builds structural skeletons from discarded or found objects. The materials he chooses have been cast out or devalued by society and so his selections are based on the kind of message or impact each piece should convey. This is how a demolished barn can become a wave, broken bicycles transform into a tornado, and downed trees can be given a second life as a pillar of fire.

Chris’s creative inspiration comes from two places: engineering and art. His background in engineering provides a singular understanding of how the materials can be formed, shaped and connected into a structure. His vision as an artist and his sense of humor bring the parts together in a form that is not only pleasing, but often thought-provoking and dynamic, challenging the viewer to look past the recognizable shape to see how everything is connected.

Many of Chris’s pieces encourage people to participate, to place themselves inside or to pass underneath and through, seeing the form from several angles. Each piece is site-specific, taking advantage of the surrounding landscape and architecture and often incorporating regional or cultural hallmarks. The placement of every piece of sculpture is carefully selected for the maximum effect of discovery and scale.

Location

Fire Station 48, 1700 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, 33765, View Map