VAThe+Cow+Up+a+Tree

"Cow Up A Tree" is design by John Kelly. It's about 8 meters high and 5 tons of bronze. It was installed in the Docklands in Feb 2001.
====It was designed based on the reality of cows being swept in to trees due to flooding. This iconic sculpture by John Kelly is made of 5 tonnes of patinated bronze and was originally installed in the Docklands in February 2001. The eight metre high sculpture creates a surreal experience but the apparently absurd vision of a cow being stuck up a tree is based on reality.The inspiration for the work come 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. John Kelly comments, "I am thrilled about the installation of the sculpture in my home town and especially Docklands. I hope the sculpture fires the imagination of Melburnians as well as making a valuable contribution to the city's contemporary cultural debate". Kelly hopes that the sculpture becomes a meeting spot in the same vein as the "Flinders Street Clocks".====