One of Heifer International’s oldest and most thrilling stories – that of the seagoing cowboys – has now been turned into fine art. The American Merchant Marine Museum on Long Island, NY, is now showing the exhibition Heifer Relief: Compass, Ark, Berth.
"Compass," the first of three parts in the exhibit.
The theme of the exhibit is Heifer International’s origin story. When founder Dan West decided to empower families in distress by sending them heifers for milk production, he formed Heifers for Relief with the support of his church, the Church of the Brethren. In the years following World War II, more than 7,000 “cowboys” and “cowgirls” accompanied shipments of livestock across the Atlantic to participants in Europe.
"Ark," the second of the exhibit's three parts.
The new exhibit, by artist Jo Israelson, uses film, sound, and sculpture to “depict the impact of these efforts on the lives of the “seagoing cowboys” and on the beginnings of Heifer International, and in the context of the history of peace churches.”
Isrealson was intrigued by the regular, farm-like routine that the “cowboys” were able to create on ships. For example, Compass, the first of three parts in the exhibition, “echoes the constancies that pervaded the life of each cowboy who made the journey: constancy of sound, constancy of motion, and of course, constancy of belief.”
The exhibition continues daily through June 29, 2012.
Jo, this is truly incredible! I shall share this with others who have history with Heifer project and know mom and dad. Your creativity is something else. Thanks for keeping this story alive.
Lovely Lovely Jo this is profound art for a profound story! Thank-you,
Jo, Thanks for bringing these stories back to the forefront. Being on the farm where the first heifers were gathered from 1944-1948 was a life changing experience for this daughter of Roger and Olive Roop who so willingly donated their farm, time and energy for this worthy cause.