"Cow Up A Tree, Docklands, Melbourne, Vic, Australia" Waymark

The text on the accompanying plaque says:
"This iconic sculpture by John Kelly is made of 5 tonnes of patinated bronze and was originally installed in Docklands in Feb 2001. It was subsequently dismantled and stored so that construction works to lower the wharf could be undertaken. The sculpture was reinstalled in 2003.

The 8m high sculpture creates a curious and surreal experience, but the apparently absurd vision of a cow being stuck up a tree is based on reality. The inspiration for the work comes from the Australian landscape and a strong water-based theme. Australian floods are often violent and it is not unknown for cattle to be swept into trees whilst floods are ascending only to be stranded once they subside. The artist observed photos of this occurring in the Gippsland area of Victoria.

The multi-layered work also connects another episode of Australian History. The cow's distinctive shape with its small head and long neck makes reference to the portrait of Joshua Smith, the Australian artist who was painted by William Dobell. This painting became the winner of the 1943 Archibald Portrait Prize and was subject to the infamous court case where the 'art' was put on trial during the Second World War.

It was during the war that Dobell served as a camouflage labourer, working on papier mache cows which were moved around airfields in the hope of fooling the Japanese pilots. Dobell was quoted as saying that he thought the authorities had underestimated the eyesight of Japanese airmen!

The sculpture was conceived whilst Kelly was researching Dobell and contemplating what would have happened if a flood hit Dobell's airfield. Kelly specifically envisaged that the sculpture would be placed in close proximity to water."

Artist Statement

"The Docklands site and its sense of open space creates the feeling of the Australian Landscape in an urban environment. This is evoked by the flat receding horizontal line of the water which creates a dialogue with the environment. This relates back to the idea of a flood and places the sculpture in a relevant context.

The sculpture is located some metres above the water line and so the drop-away effect gives the work a monumental feel silhouetting it against the sky and thereby enhancing its sense of scale and bulk. At night this effect is also created when the sculpture is lit up whilst behind it, the darkness of the water with the lights across the bay creates a strong sense of distance.

Its location between two tram stops means that people will see the sculpture as they go about their day to day activities. As part of the environment, it hopefully will become a meeting spot in the same vein as the Flinders Street clocks. "Meet you by The Cow Up The Tree" could well become the new phrase in Melbourne's idiom.

I am thrilled about the installation of the sculpture in my home town and especially Docklands. I hope the sculpture fires the imagination of Melbourne's as well as making a valuable contribution to the city's contemporary cultural debate."

John Kelly