Free As a Cow

Free as a cow, Margaret River Cowparade, 2010

Public Art : Free As a Cow, also known as "The Roast on the Post" (A Margaret River, 2010, Cowparade cow)

Artist : © Ron Roozen

Date: 2010

Cowparade Cow Number : 25

Location : The golden Free As a Cow bovine can be found high diving it at Pioneer Park in Cowaramup.

Sponsor : Augusta Margaret River Shire Council

Artist Statement : A tongue and cheek acknowledgement of a local icon and Bach's famous novel, Jonathon Livingston Seagull. A cow for the herd to look up to.

The Background, Controversy, and Cheek : The Free As A Cow bovine, perched high above it all, was inspired by a controversial local icon called "Free As A Bird" (also affectionately known as the "Chick on the Stick") , which can be found at the Laurance Wines. The "Free As A Bird" sculpture, which was designed by winery owner Dianne Laurance and commissioned by artists Joan and Charlie Smith, has been at the centre of dispute between Laurance and the Shire Council for several years. The shire basically wanted the 3m , gilded 24ct gold leaf woman statue, perched atop a 14m high electric blue pole in the middle of a lake, removed because Laurance didn't have planning permission. In an attempt to compromise, the council suggested that the statue be moved and reduced in size, to which Diane Laurance responded 'That's a bit like asking Leonardo da Vinci to paint the Mona Lisa's hair blonde'. It is estimated Laurance spent nearly $150,000 fighting the council at the State Administrative Tribunal.