Celebrating Firemen and Paramedics this pair of reliefs was commissioned by the Department of Cultural Affairs in 2007 for Fire Station 13 on Westminster and Pico in Los Angeles. The purpose was to tell the story of First Responders. in a graphic and positive way that would make a connection between the community and those providing emergency service. 12 feet high and 9 feet wide they were modeled in clay and cast in sections in a lightweight fiber re-enforced cement. One panel represents the fire fighting arm of the first responders and the other details the para-medics, each engaged in various acts and stages of thier efforts to give aid where needed. The process involved a competition with a request for qualifications and then a short list and a request for proposals. After a lot of research and study of the community and building plans I decided the arches were the best location and relief was the best format for the project.
I chose the arches because they are so visible but out of harms way for vandalism and graffiti. They are also protected from the weather because of the overhang. The subject mater is a montage of images displaying the effort and valor that goes into a days work not just at fire station 13 but at fire stations everywhere.
