Cow Parade 2006

In 2006, the world's largest public art event came to Edinburgh. Highly decorated and individualized life-size models of cows appeared across the city for residents and tourists to spot and admire. Browse our exhibition to see how these bovine sculptures took over our streets.
The premise is simple, 'while the cow sculptures remain the same, each city encourages creative individuals to explore the cow canvas - challenged by the artwork from past events, inspired by the cultural influences of their respective cities, and moved by their own interpretation of the cow as an art object'. In 2013, the Cow Parade had been staged in over 50 cities across the world since it began in 1999. It is estimated that over 100 million people around the world have seen one of the Cow Parade cows. Famous people who have contributed designs include artists, designers and architects such as Richard Rogers and Norman Foster even rock bands such as Radiohead and the film director, David Lynch. In Edinburgh, after the event was over, some cows were auctioned with proceeds benefiting charitable organisations.
Find out more about the worldwide Cow Parade.