Ladder Stories

Since I have been working with the symbol of the ladder in my art, I have been collecting photos and information and symbolism about this provocative tool. Ladders give us the means to go up or down and even across or over something. Ladders have always called to me as potential for shifting perspective. In our work, we climb ladders a lot. Our cat loves to climb ladders too.

There are many spiritual associations with the ladder and in my quest, I have found Joseph Panek's blog where he breaks down the ladder into some memorable ideas.
http://www.aseekersthoughts.com/2009/11/ladder-symbol-of-ascension.html;

In the ordinary world, there are very special examples of beautifully crafted ones made in the City Shops for the San Francisco Fire Department, a city that maintains a tradition of constructing their own ladders imbued with great care and intention. When I visited their facility in the Bayview, I was touched by the reverence the firefighters had for this tool.
Each section is hand crafted. Ladders are repaired and reused.

City Shops the SFFD ladder making & repair facility

I could see some evidence of burning and stress but each one had a special resonance, There are some fascinating reasons why they prefer wood over metal. http://sf-fire.org/wooden-ladders

This is a really cool video from a few years ago featuring Jerry Lee working on his ladders. He is now retired.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbu1HVFELog