11 Feb Ed Paschke Art Center Unveils Vaca Victoria
The sculpture was part of the City of Chicago’s “Cows on Parade,” which ran from June-October, 1999. It showcased over 300 different fiberglass cows embellished by some of Chicago’s top artists, including William Conger, Mr. Imagination, Carlos “Dzine” Rolón, Stanley Tigerman and Karl Wirsum.
“The ‘Cows on Parade’ initiative was one of the largest and most successful temporary public art projects that Chicago has ever mounted,” said Vesna Stelcer, chair of the Ed Paschke Foundation. “Gaining this historic Paschke piece for the Ed Paschke Art Center is a great addition to the Center’s collection, as it further reiterates Ed’s connection to Chicago and his honest appreciation of its diversity.”
Cows were displayed throughout the city, with the majority appearing in Chicago’s Downtown, Gold Coast, River North and Museum Campus areas. Paschke’s Vaca Victoria originally stood at 215 W. Superior in River North, but was only on public view for a few short days. A controversy ensured over some of the symbols he painted on it, including Chicago gang symbols from the Vice Lords, Latin Kings and Gangster Disciples (among others). To Paschke, these symbols represented part of the compelling graphic vocabulary found throughout his beloved Chicago.
Other elements of his composition included a head painted in the style of the Chicago Bulls logo and six stars representing their championship wins. Ed Paschke was an avid sports fan and season ticket holder of the Bulls.
Vaca Victoria is currently on free display for the first time since 1999. The work joins EPAC’s permanent collection thanks to a generous gift from Averill and Bernard Leviton.
The Ed Paschke Art Center provides permanent access to the world’s largest collection of Paschke’s work. The renovated building contains 2,800 square feet of gallery space, 1,700 square feet of educational space, alongside a re-imagination of Ed Paschke’s 2004 studio. The collection showcases the Ed Paschke Family Foundation’s holdings of the distinct styles Paschke explored throughout the many periods of his long artistic career, which spanned from 1969 to 2004.
About the Ed Paschke Art Center
The Mission of the Ed Paschke Art Center is to preserve and provide public access to the work of the legendary Ed Paschke; to serve as an educational resource for youth, adults, artists and academics; and to function as an accessible platform for artists to showcase their work.
The Ed Paschke Art Center is free and open to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Ed Paschke Art Center is proudly funded by The Rabb Family Foundation. Additional major supporters of the Ed Paschke Art Center include the 3M Company, Bank of America and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
For more information call 312.533.4911 or visit edpaschke.org.
5415 W Higgins Avenue
Chicago, IL 60630
Admission is free.
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