27 February 2025, Johannesburg – Today sees Stork’s foray into the world of contemporary art with its commissioning of local artist Cow Mash (Kgaogelo Mothepa Mashilo) to produce an edible artwork, made from their newly launched modified butter spread, Stork Country Blend.
Cow Mash – who is known for her preference for working exclusively in black and white – accepted the challenge and unveiled the sculpture at an intimate exhibition for attendees to see and get a first taste of this marvelous artwork.
For over 75 years, Stork has been stirring creativity in the homes of many South Africans through delicious and marvelous creations, which is why this never-before challenge of reimagining luxury (edible) art was not surprising.
“When I received this brief from Stork, the biggest challenge was first thinking about colour and giving into working with different materials. I was actually stressed considering the temperature control needed with the material.” says Cow Mash.
“Our brand has always stood for creativity and inspiration as with our previous campaign, so when we wanted to showcase the new Country Blends spreadability and luxurious nature, we wanted to do it in a novel way that speaks to the creativity that Stork has come to be known for.” says Danisa Parks-Kunene, Stork South Africa
Danisa Parks-Kunene, Stork South Africa adds, “When deciding on a collaborator who would showcase the smoothness and richness of Stork Country Blend, the talented Cow Mash instantly came to mind. She creates her art with a strong desire to bring people together but also being able to bring together an unpredictable and difficult medium to create art which she’s never explored.
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With a challenging task ahead of her, Cow Mash rose to the occasion by experimenting with the softness of Stork Country Blend in her process. She had to consider the end goal by determining what kind of structure the sculpture would look like but more importantly, how people would consume it.
With the sculpture resembling a bowl-like structure, the symbolism behind its shape was based on the idea that bowls symbolise a culture of sharing food within African homes during Mekete (gatherings) when celebrating and honouring tradition.
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“I think a gathering of people consuming the work at first, sounded scary because I think an artwork is [generally] observed afar – if you break it, you pay for it. At first [the idea] was scary but because they’re going to eat the sculpture, I knew it’ll be gone. The [Country Blend] really just flows over a surface as you build up to it” says Cow Mash.
Speaking on the success of the sculpture, Cow Mash says “there’s a beauty to a gathering of people coming together to consume a labour of love. A narrative of love that is reflected in this community – coming and feeling warmth by eating what is essentially a sculpture.”
