Somerville Resident Creates Life-Size Cow Sculpture For Cancer Research Fund

SOMERVILLE, MA – A Somerville resident has painted a life-size cow sculpture as part of a public art installation and fundraiser for the 75th anniversary of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund.

Emily Bhargava’s sculpture “Alphonse Moo-cha” will be on display at The InterContinental Boston from June 24 through September 4.

The sculpture is part of CowParade New England, a public art installation featuring 75 unique cows decorated by local artists throughout the region. The cows will be placed at landmarks around Greater Boston to recognize 75 years of progress and impact made by the Jimmy Fund community.

Bhargava is a teaching artist and works primarily in glass and steel, transforming blank walls and empty spaces into designs that inspire reflection, collaboration and community ownership.

She works at the intersection of art and public health, using art as a tool for health promotion. In the case of CowParade New England, she is excited by the prospect of supporting Dana-Farber’s fundraising and also using cows as a way to bring art and health into classrooms across Somerville.

Bhargava created the full-size cow using glass and ceramic tile in a style inspired by artist Alphonse Mucha, in addition to creating a smaller “mini-moo” sculpture with her students as part of an educational arts initiative through CowParade New England.

“We’re thrilled to have so many talented and diverse local artists in Greater Boston and throughout New England participating in CowParade New England,” Suzanne Fountain, vice president of the Jimmy Fund, said in a news release. “CowParade is a beautiful way to bring our community together to celebrate 75 years of the Jimmy Fund and look ahead to continue raising funds to bring us one step closer to a world without cancer.”

Community members can view a full pasture map with the locations of each cow here. Select cows will be auctioned off in August to benefit the Jimmy Fund, which supports cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.