Cow Mash was born (Kgaogelo Mashilo) in Limpopo and raised in Pretoria, where she currently resides.

She graduated from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) with a degree in Fine Art, majoring in sculpture. In 2016, Cow created her first life-sized public figure, representing Francis Baard and forming part of the National Heritage Monument.

In 2017, Cow was one of three artists to create a statue of Oliver Tambo, which stands at the O.R Tambo International Airport. She was named the winner of the PPC Imaginarium fashion category in 2019.

Since 2015, she has taken part in multiple group shows and is currently completing her master’s degree at TUT.
Cow Mash’s current work is inspired by her self-given name “Cow” and the cultures and symbols of the cow within the Sepedi traditions, as well as globally.

Through cow metaphors, she tries to situate herself between tradition and the contemporary world. Cow creates drawings on synthetic leather and sculptural works using synthetic wools, combining various fabrics. She reflects on the transformation and evolution of culture by using synthetic leather rather than actual cowhide.

Her doodle-like repetitive lines in her drawings and meditative methods in sculpting are a means of self-contemplation and healing and finding a sense of belonging.
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