Holy Cow! Distinctive new public art statement for Uranquinty

Holy Cow! Distinctive new public art statement for Uranquinty - 2 July 2015

Visitors to Uranquinty will soon be greeted by a new and unusual outdoor public art installation – a herd of 10 steel cows grazing right in the middle of town!

To be situated in Wirraway Park – a popular rest stop and play area right on the Olympic Highway opposite the Uranquinty Hotel and Quinty Bakehouse – the life-sized cow cut-outs will be made from hand-forged solid flatbar steel and each stand about 1.7m tall and 2.8m in length.

The new feature – due to be in place by the end of November - is part of Wagga Wagga City Council’s Public Art Plan (‘WaggaWorks’) and is being supported by Origin Energy.

Under the Public Art Plan’s ‘VillageWorks’ initiative an open request for design concepts for the Wirraway Park space was issued in March 2015, with the winning concept chosen this month by Council’s Public Art Advisory Panel with representation from the Uranquinty Progress Association.

The winning idea came from Jane Cavanough, an artist with outdoor works commissioned by a number of NSW Councils and private developers. Prior to her public art career, Cavanough trained as a landscape architect, bringing a background of multi-disciplinary skills to the development of her public artworks.

Jane’s concept reflects the pastoral history of Uranquinty and surrounds, with the ‘cows’ to be either grazing along the edge of the walking track or running through Wirraway Park. Their design and construction should see them in place for decades

“The design encourages residents and visitors alike to interact in and around the sculptures and will appeal to people of all ages,” Wagga Wagga Council’s Cultural Officer Tracie Miller said.

“This further embellishment of Wirraway Park will add to the village of Uranquinty from a placemaking perspective, and we hope encourage visitors to stop and spend some time in Uranquinty.”

“This is the first time we have partnered with Council on a public art initiative,” Plant Manager from Origin’s Uranquinty Power Station Paul Olsen said. “So far Origin’s community investment has concentrated on supporting the local primary school and volunteer community organisations.

“This will provide a unique talking point and hopefully attract visitors to stay, play and maybe spend some money in Uranquinty. It will certainly feature in lots of holiday photographs!

“The concept was well-received when it was mentioned at the recent Progress Association meeting and we know Uranquinty is a strongly arts-minded community.”

Media opportunity

What: Announcement of public art project for Uranquinty

When: 2pm Friday, 3 July

Where: Wirraway Park, Uranquinty – on the Olympic Highway opposite the Uranquinty Hotel and Quinty Bakehouse.

Who: Uranquinty Progress Association President Belinda McMahon, commissioned artist Jane Cavanough, Plant Manager from Origin’s Uranquinty Power Station Paul Olsen, Wagga Wagga City Council Cultural Officer Tracie Miller