The Cows about Cambridge charity auction is currently accepting online bids for 43 udderly unique lots designed by regional and national artists. Stunningly beautiful, the lifesize Cow sculptures start from £1,000 each; two mini moos are ready to find their forever home from only £500.
The public were invited to vote for their favourite sculpture while all 90 Cows were grazing in locations across Cambridge city centre this summer. More than 1,260 votes were cast and the results are in:
- MooMoo-O-Tron III: 282 votes
A steam punk Cow complete with aliens, elevator and eyes that light up at night
Artist: Dinky Doors are anonymous Cambridge street artists, on an unexpected mission to save the world from relentlessly terrible news and wanton drudgery.
2. Cowbridges: 181 votes
Depicts bridges crossing the River Cam, from Grantchester to Baits Bite Lock
Artist: Glynn Thomas RE attended Cambridge Art School in the 1960s. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, his work can be found in Museum Collections in England, including the Houses of Parliament, and in private collections worldwide.
3. Buttercup: 171 votes
A petal face reflects the sunshine
Artist: A former London prop maker, Sally later studied art in Taunton, Norwich, and Cambridge. Sally became hooked on Wild In Art Trails after winning the GoGoGorilla design competition for the Eastern Daily Press in 2013. She has since worked on many more trails nationwide.
4. Penny: 136 votes
Copper and silver coins recreate the markings of a Friesian cow
Artist: Alix Carter graduated from Norwich University with a degree in Arts BA (Hons) Graphic Design Course. She created the beautiful Tuppence and Heptahare sculptures for previous Wild in Art trails.
5. Stardust: 136 votes
Covered from head to hoof in sparkling mirror tiles
Artist: A professional mosaic artist, Natalie Guy works locally, nationally and internationally. She takes inspiration for her designs and sculptures from many sources - a hardware store, a ceiling, the structure of a leaf, a line from a poem, history.
6. Moss Cow: 125 votes
A climate-friendly cow that absorbs atmospheric pollutants
Artist: Chris Pointon is the team lead for a collaboration of environmental groups in Cambridge who aim to inspire people to work together to achieve a climate-friendly, sustainable way of life.
- Honey: 124 votes
Highlights the declining bee population, with golden honeycomb udders
Artist: Jina Gelder is a talented wildlife artist and illustrator based in Newcastle upon Tyne. She predominantly paints animals but also illustrates a variety of subjects.
7. May-Belle: 112 votes
Sunset scenes that showcase Cambridge landmarks
Artist: Dario Fisher works in Cambridge as a Graphic Designer. In his spare time he creates illustrations and prints, drawing inspiration from Japanese woodcut prints. He is always on the lookout for an iconic skyline, of which there is no shortage in Cambridge.
“Every Cow has its own personality. Which one would you choose to take home in aid of charity?” asks Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of event producers Wild in Art. “And which would resonate with your business or place of work?”
One of the favourites, Penny, is a genuine cash cow, covered in coins to the value of £677.64:
2 pence pieces x 6046 = £120.92
10 pence pieces x 5320 = £532
5 pence pieces x 409 = £20.45
1 pence pieces x 426 = £4.26
The auction will also feature a previously unseen sculpture, Bee Back Soon, by designer Sasha DeWitt who became an artist in her mid-30s as a response to chronic illness:
The auction will raise vital funds for Break - a charity working with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care.
“We’re delighted to be the charitable beneficiaries of Cows about Cambridge. Break has been changing young lives across East Anglia for more than 50 years, and the money raised by the project will make a real difference to young people in Cambridge,” comments Rachel Cowdry, CEO of Break. “At Break we believe that, whatever a child’s start in life, with the right care there’s no limit to what they can achieve. By supporting the Cows about Cambridge auction you will be ensuring that we can always be there, providing children with a healthy childhood and the life-long support they need to find their feet and enjoy a bright and successful future.”
All auction lots can be viewed in advance during a Farewell Weekend at The Grafton from 17-19 September. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of £2.50 to Break. The online auction will remain open for browsing and bids at www.cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk/auction until 23 September, when celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson will bring the hammer down during a spectacular in-person event at the Graduate Cambridge Hotel.
Cows about Cambridge has been brought to the city by Wild in Art in collaboration with Break, principal partner Cambridge BID and official travel partner Thameslink.
