Farmers send clear message
A cacophany of sounds - barking dogs, the roar of tractors and tooting ute horns - descended on towns and cities around the country on Friday, July 16.
Morrinsville Street Art was launched last month at the town’s art gallery, the project sponsored by local businesses, says spokeswoman Nicki Robb
Local businesses are buying the cows, each of them painted by local and national artists. Fifteen more are in progress, to graze the pavements from August.
“Artists from around the country submitted their portfolios in the hope of getting an opportunity to put paint to glass,” Robb says. “Designed together by the business and artist, each cow is unique and eye catching.”
The cows, made by Matcraft Marine, Hamilton, will withstand tough conditions; they have a high gloss finish coat that withstands graffiti. Each carries a plaque naming the sponsor, artist and the cow.
Mat Bailey, of Matcraft Marine, made the mould, and his company produces two-three cows every week. The mould was sponsored by accountants CooperAitken.
The cows are about 4mm thick with reinforcing around ears and horns.
“We sought advice from Resene about how the cows should be painted – what products to use to suit our harsh UV light,” Robb says.
“Resene supplied the paint and the anti graffiti finish which was applied by local business Greenville Auto Partners for a professional finish and seal.”
The sponsors can repaint their cows “to freshen up the herd”.
A website and mobile app will be set up for people to read about the cows, artists and sponsors. “It will also have an art trail so they can find the ‘herd’ for themselves.”
Matamata Piako District Council helped place the cows in the streets, considering visibility for traffic and pedestrians; walkways will remain clear of cows.
And thieves take note: each cow will be bolted to a 300kg concrete plinth.
The new cow capital?
Matamata has Hobbits, Paeroa has the giant L&P bottle, now how to give Morrinsville an ‘identity’.
It was always going to cows. This Waikato dairy-heartland town has many businesses supplying the rural economy. Then there’s the cows!
The Chamber of Commerce championed loyal local Nicki Robb’s street-art cow idea.
Local businesses got behind it and along came the first 15 “painted ladies”.
Each sponsoring business teamed up with an artist who has decorated their cow in a distinct theme to encapsulate what they do. Each cow is unique and each is a ‘hit’, says Robb.
