Phillip Island mosaic artist Heather Fahlne and Martha, the colourful cow, at Our Lady Star of the Sea primary school.
With a million mosaic cuts, Martha the cow dazzles all she meets in the school’s kitchen garden.
When the principal of Our Lady Star of the Sea primary school asked local mosaic artist Heather Fahnle to transform a fibre glass cow into a work of art, Heather rose to the challenge.
“I’d already created an installation of beloved island animals, including koalas, Cape Barren Geese and penguins, for the school,” she says.
“But this cow was next level.”
Heather, whose work features in public spaces on and off the island, named the cow Martha and took her back to her Ventnor studio to begin work.
“I bonded with Martha as soon as I finished making her eyes,” Heather says.
“I was scared to give her up in the end because we became so connected.”
The popular artist and penguin parade ranger wanted Martha to bring joy to the community, so she covered her in brilliantly coloured flowers.
“Every little flower had to be cut and shaped,” she says.
“I used tiny black shards to create her hide.”
More than a year and a million mosaic cuts later, Martha dazzles all she meets in the school’s kitchen garden.
Martha can be viewed from the school carpark or from Rhyll Road.
