Citizen Firefighter

On 17th June 2001, a bronze sculpture entitled "Citizen Firefighter" was unveiled in Glasgow city centre. The statue by Kenny Hunter, one of Scotland's foremost sculptors, is a tribute to all firefighters past and present who have served in Strathclyde Fire & Rescue (SFR).

The work was commissioned by SFR as part of three challenges given to it's Millennium Working Group. The first two projects, an ecumenical service at Glasgow Cathedral and a Fire Service Exhibition within George Square in Glasgow were an outstanding success.

However, as difficult and challenging as these projects seemed at the time to prepare and organise, they bore no significance to the work and dedication required by the team to complete the third and easily the most challenging project - to raise funds for the commissioning, siting and unveiling of a bronze sculpture within the SFR area so as to recognise the contribution and to celebrate the work of firefighters, both past and present, for their service to the community.

With no budget available the team set out on a fundraising extravaganza within the length and breadth of SFR's vast area. From plant sales at Ayr, Bishopbriggs, Milngavie, dances at Calton and Yorkhill, car washes/open days at Polmadie and Clarkston, to the selling of firefighter bugs at Campbeltown and numerous other events helped to raise the fund's coffers. A major boost to the project was the announcement that SFR was to receive an award of £15,000 from the Lord Provost of Glasgow's Millennium Fund as winners of a prestigious art competition.

A short list committee formed from representatives of SFR, Glasgow City Council and the art world had the difficult task of selecting an artist to be commissioned for the work. The person chosen was Kenny Hunter, a well known and respected Scottish artist. To gain an understanding of the work of the Fire Service, Mr. Hunter spent time in all departments of SFR, and experienced firefighting first-hand by attending various incidents with a crew from Maryhill Fire Station. He commented "These experiences became a vital part of the artwork's creative develoment".

It was always the intention of the team to have the finished artwork sited in an open street area, so as to enable the general public the opportunity to view and enjoy the statue as opposed to it being erected within SFR premises. The sculpture is for the communities we serve and should be seen by as many people as possible, not just the firefighters it represents.

With this in mind,and working closely with Glasgow City Council, a site on the corner of Hope Street and Gordon Street was identified. This is a very busy thoroughfare and is adjacent to the entrance of Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest railway station. It is anticipated that the statue will become not only a city landmark, but also a meeting place for local people and visitors to the city.

Less than 3 months after it was unveiled, Citizen Firefighter became a focal point for the people of Glasgow after the terrible events of Tuesday September 11th in New York. The statue seemed to many to be the right place to leave flowers and tributes to the many firefighters who died in those events. On October 23rd 2001, the Scottish Fire Brigades held a ceremony of commemoration at Citizen Firefighter for those 343 members of the global family of the fire service that lost their lives in the selfless pursuit to save others.

Citizen Firefighter Book Launched

A new book "Citizen Firefighter" has been published jointly by the CCA Glasgow and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

The book is, in the words of writer Francis McKee, an attempt to put the firefighter statue erected outside the Central Hotel into a larger context. "It's not an easy statue; in a city littered with fascinating figures, this is one which has a particular relevance" says McKee.

The slightly larger than life statue on the busy junction of Hope St and Gordon St in Glasgow has struck a chord with many people, particularly after September 11.

This new book looks at the commissioning process, including an essay by sculptor Kenny Hunter, critical essays by Ross Birrell and Ray McKenzie and Francis McKee's own reflections on how the public have taken the statue to heart.

"Citizen Firefighter" published by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and the CCA, is available now priced at £9.99. ISBN 1 873331 25 8

Email opinions@strathclydefire.org for more information

About the Artist

Kenny Hunter was born in Edinburgh 1962 and studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1983 - 1987. After graduating in sculpture, Kenny has gone on to practice in both the field of public and gallery based art becoming one of the UK's foremost artists with works in collections all over the world, including Paris, New York and Hamburg. These are his thoughts on Citizen Firefighter.

About the Sculpture

Citizen Firefighter was conceived primarily to celebrate Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. But it is also an attempt, through a recognition of their work, to reclaim the political and civic space associated with the historical form of the public statue. While maintaining the clear, formal language of the past, the content and narrative of this new work differs in many ways from the historical tradition, and it is precisely through this rupture between Citizen Firefighter and what is generally understood to be the impact of historical works that we can begin to assess what kind of relationship now exists between citizen and resident, between statue and sculpture. The space opened up in this way creates the possibility of a dialogue of historical and sociological change.

Through the work's symbolism, Citizen Firefighter appears to rekindle the onlooker's reflexes when faced with a nineteenth-century public monument. It differs, however, by both the neutrality of its stance and by the prominence given to the breathing apparatus, which has a democratising effect on human identity. The generic or quotidian aspect of the figure is further accentuated by a reductive treatment of form, in which all naturalist or realist traits have been suppressed. Subtraction peels away pathos, creating enough critical distance to enable the viewer to consider the complex "charge" inherent in the way the subject is presented. In this way the meaning of the monument itself is left partially open, thus creating a space that can be reinvested by the onlooker. This in turn prompts us to come to terms with our own responsibility, not only as an onlooker, but also, more importantly, as a citizen.

In the field of art, one is actually in the realm of simulation and make believe where nothing really seems to be of any consequence. But it is precisely this particular facility that creates the responsibility; the manipulation of often perilous concepts, while remaining within the fictional subset of art, brings the artist face to face with the importance of the choices he makes. This means abandoning the romanticism which is often associated with the figure of the artist, but also understanding how to become a member of society in the fullest possible sense; making art works or artistic propositions effective beyond the confines of galleries and culturally oriented institutions. It is a question of making the most of the privileges of this protected zone returning from it onto a public scale. (Xavier Veilhan)

A Note from the Artist

Whilst working on this project with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, the opinions, values and reactions of the people I met became a vital part of the artwork's creative development. The participation of Firefighters from every level and at every stage of the process has enabled me to anticipate a wider reaction. The desire to take the onlooker into consideration from the outset implies an awareness of the other, a form of respect. I could not have conceived this artwork in isolation.

My thanks to the men and women of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, for their support and commitment to this project.

Kenny Hunter Glasgow 2001