Cardup Career Fire and Rescue Services Station -Public Art Integration

Percent for Art Commission | Department of Fire and Emergency Services

At the heart of the newly constructed Cardup Fire Station, I developed a multi-part public artwork that weaves together sculptural, architectural and textural elements – responding directly to the landscape, geology and essential role of water in this bushfire-prone area.

The centrepiece is a sandblasted artwork across a large concrete wall, enhanced by sculptural relief elements that emerge from its surface. Complementary features include etched glasswork in the entry foyer, custom laser-cut metal gates and screening, and bespoke brick patterning that meanders across the facade – connecting every part of the site with a unified visual language.

The artwork draws inspiration from the natural and cultural layers of Cardup and the surrounding Darling Range. Flowing lines reference Cardup Brook, while patterns of rippling water, concentric tree rings and goanna eggs symbolise the rhythms of regeneration, growth and life cycles – themes that resonate powerfully in the context of fire safety and community resilience.

Water, depicted abstractly and texturally, is a recurring motif – a life force, but also a critical tool of protection in firefighting. Carefully placed granite boulders from the Darling Range are integrated into the forms, referencing the geological strength of the region while nodding to balance and endurance.

Meandering sculptural elements and brickwork suggest the path of the goanna – a symbol of grounded movement and interconnectedness between land, life and community. These layered forms invite curiosity and engagement, sparking quiet conversations about our relationship to environment, place and safety.

This project was an opportunity to translate a complex set of ideas – from fire preparedness to ecological resilience – into a tactile, grounded artwork that reflects both the vitality of nature and the protective strength of the station itself.

Art consultant: Jenny Beahan