The artwork of sculptor Starr Kempf still sits on the lawn of his former home, towering over the area and just blocks from one of Colorado Springs’ most popular parks.

The towering, gleaming metal sculptures fill up the yard and are on display for those who pass by to see. Kempf sadly took his own life in 1995, but some of his work stayed where he had placed it in his front yard.

Kempf was known for his “monumental works of shining metal whimsy,” writes Atlas Obscura. He created many “oversized steel abstractions” that moved with the wind. From fantastical birds to undulating spires, Kempf created a variety of cheerful work. According to the ENT Center for the Arts at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus, the sculptures stand at about 30 to 50 feet in height.

After Kempf passed away, fans and sightseers started to visit the home to admire his works. His daughter even began giving tours of the area. Atlas Obscura reports that this didn’t sit well with some other wards of the artists estate and neighbors. The city, with the support of one of Kempf’s relatives, removed some of the works from his home with Kempf’s daughter having protested the removal.

Three of the sculptures were removed, but many were left at the home. Today, the three removed sculptures, Sunrise Serenade, Metronome, and Space Needle, are displayed at the ENT Center for the Arts on the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus. They are on extended loan and will be displayed until 2034.

Some of the sculptures can still be viewed from the street, but be sure to be respectful when visiting to avoid more sculptures being removed.

Read more about Starr Kempf and his legacy here.

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