Fire Tower (Rainier Valley)

Description: Chabre’s artwork is an 8 ½’ tall sculpture that features bas-relief images depicting the history of the fire department in Seattle on all four sides. The bronze panels represent downtown, the Great Fire, the waterfront and the history of the neighborhood around Fire Station 28. The form of the artwork resembles the fire towers that once stood throughout Seattle and served as locations for keeping watch on Seattle’s neighborhoods. In his research, the artist found that the fire towers were a symbol of strength and reassurance to the surrounding community. At night, a light glows inside the artwork, shining through the resin panels at the top of the artwork. 

Artist Statement: Fire Tower is reminiscent of the original towers that kept watch on Seattle’s neighborhoods. It celebrates the history and heroism of the fire department in four bronze bas-relief panels: downtown, the Great Fire, the waterfront and the history of the Fire Station 28 neighborhood. Often whimsical, my work is influenced by my rural upbringing and familiarity with both machinery and the natural world. 

 Location: Fire Station 28, 5968 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle WA 98118