Cow Weather Vane c. 1938

This "Cow Weather Vane" was made by Wynna Wright, though the year isn't known, and it’s twenty-two inches long. Looking at it, I’m really struck by how the colour seems to emerge from the material itself. It’s not just painted on; it’s like the metal has transformed, becoming these shades of earthy red and brown. I love how this piece feels so solid and grounded, like the cow is just standing there, totally unfazed by the world. And then you notice the tail, this really thin piece of metal that somehow manages to convey movement and lightness. There’s such a contrast between the sturdy body and the delicate tail, and it’s that tension that makes the piece so interesting, somehow. There’s something about the simplicity of this cow that reminds me of Elie Nadelman’s folk art sculptures, they are similarly pared-down forms that carry a real sense of presence and character. It’s a reminder that art isn’t always about complexity, sometimes it’s about finding beauty in the everyday.