Big beef over bovine tags in NW Philly.
Laughter may be a universal language, but sometimes you just have to be there. In this case, “there” is NW Philly, where a community Facebook group is trolling itself over the unexpected rise of a local Banksy.
Kind of. “Sham Cow” started as some clever but mediocre tagging around East Falls, Roxborough, Wissahickon Park, and environs. Actually, it started as “SHAM WOW!” in red text on abutments along the 76 overpass on City Ave. Then, one day, it was “SHAM COW!” on a white background with black spots like a Holstein. Get it? Because moo. 🐄🐄🐄
On July 12th, a member of the Facebook group “Roxborough Rants & Raves” posted the first Sham Cow photos. “I don’t typically condone graffiti,” they said before admitting they’ve enjoyed counting all the Sham Cows around the neighborhood (“I’m up to FOUR!”).
Incoming…!!! 😮😍🤬🤭🙃
“Is it art or is it vandalism?” is a timeless debate in the art world, but in Roxborough, it inspired what appears to be some next-level community performance art.
In a flurry of Sham Cow photos, neighbors have been praising the graffiti in loftier and loftier terms, yanking the chains of other members who (bless their hearts) tirelessly respond with angrier and angrier posts – which only eggs on the Sham Cow crew.
It’s like a self-perpetuating pantomime of blind outrage vs merry mockery, a perfect reflection of the modern zeitgeist in all its absurdity and contradiction, and oh wow, now I’m doing it. Yeah, this thing’s got legs.
Of course, there’s a fan page now: ShamCow.com, where you can share a pic, sign the guestbook, and, I guess, wait for the OnlyFans link? Let’s agree that would be udderly over the top. 🐮🤭 Meanwhile please enjoy some highlights from social media, click the links here for the original posts & comment threads (all photos from Roxborough Rants & Raves and Shamcow.com).
🗣️ COMMUNITY CONVERSATION 🐮
He got a whole building. — Michael H.
Oh man. I thought it was some weird type of homage to the ShamWow guy. – Lucinda R.
“It’s not vandalism if it’s cute and fun”- the law – Reoin M.
This jackass also tagged the Manayunk Bridge. It’s a huge burden to the local community to keep the area looking as good as possible. Between the community organizations and all the awesome people volunteering their time this graffiti is a thorn in our side. – Matt G.
I don’t mind good graffiti but this is just terrible in every way. – Jason T
Puts me in a good mooooo’d – Dingo
God I wish I was the genius that is Sham Cow! – Ben C.
Some asshole marking up public property is not cool at all!! – Joyce P
Shamcow is a beloved Manayunk institution. – Kyle O.
Sham Cow is harmless guerilla art, gotta give this a pass. – Rocket Surgeon
It takes the ability to juxtapose a high level of sophisticated cultural understanding with keen insight into the folk wisdom of the common man to unravel the symbolism of Sham Cow as a complex commentary that combines a highlighting of the absurdity of modern life with criticism of the corruption of the dairy industry, but don’t feel bad that it’s too deep for you to understand. — Jason C.
Graffiti not art. Defaced property. — Matthew W.
This one is good, but personally I’m partial to the “pierced titties taste like house keys” tags in Fishtown/Spring Garden – Daniel P.
It’s funny watching people complain about this, that it’s graffiti or they don’t think it’s art or whatever dumb thing. And everyone who posts it is just like “Haha I saw the shamcow thing, look!” lol it’s not that deep, ya dweebs. 😂 — Emily M.
I thought it was a Chik-fil-a ad. – Qianwen C.
Just sold an original Sham Cow at Christies for $200,000, and it’s expected to increase in value. – Art Dealer
Saw the guy doing it the other day. Tall, skinny, jeans, long sleeve jacket, hat, face mask. It was 90 degrees. He should be arrested. – Raymond T.
ShamCow made an enormous step forward when he made the jump from ShamWow’s workaday cursive script to the deeply textured Holstein compositions he works in today. One can only imagine in what direction his art will evolve next. – Corey H.
It’s all fun and games till one of their cars or houses gets tagged, then it will be “Where are the police? How can they let this happen? This neighborhood is turning into Kensington.” 😱 – John M
ShamCow has really brought this community together. – Chelsea O
Sham Cow – not the graffiti artist we deserve, but the graffiti artist we need. – David D.
I’m sorry, I just don’t get the whole Sham Cow thing. It just doesn’t seem clever or interesting to me at all, not in the least. Maybe if it involved a more interesting play on words, if the artwork was compelling, I’d feel differently. — Abraham O.
I appreciate how he favors udder-shaped protuberances. – Maal F.
It’s amazing how much of a big deal people on here make over dog crap but yet some of these same people are on here applauding graffiti on a daily basis. OK now 3, 2, 1, go…. – Joe A.
The graffiti found behind layers of paint on Ellis island taught us almost as much as the immigrant records themselves. – Brigite B.
Your uncultured and untrained idea of art is an opinion. And like many before will likely be considered the wrong one in the near future. Picasso was called shit and now sells for millions, Albert Barnes was told the “art” he collected was “bad” and now brings in nearly $9 million a year in ticket sales. – Durky D.
Well you take this “expressive art” and put it all over your property. I don’t need to be lectured from an art fart on what culture is. Please. – Eric O.
I want to be like Sham Cow when I grow up. – JP G.
Sham Cow moooooves me!!! ❤️🐮 Laurie C.
Sham Cow evolved from a primordial existence before creation itself and is not to be comprehended. — Andre K.
I like his subtle works more better. – Vin C.
Counter culture has value, you’re just not cool enough to understand it. Art is subjective. Maybe it’s a meta commentary on how we’re all just sham cows 🐄 and maybe you’re a sham cow for being close minded and a bit lame. – Liz D.
Disgrace! – Peane M.
The disgrace is the condition your generation left this world in! – Emmario G.
Nothing like putting yourself on the radar. Wonder how much the fines will be? Maybe we will see him cleaning it up when he gets busted. – Vincent T.
Someone will 311 it, it’ll take 3 months for the city to respond and paint it in a “that’s close enough” shade of green, and it’ll be tagged again a week later. Welcome to living in a major city. – Vin C.
This person is defacing our community and other people are praising it. I think it looks absolutely hideous. — Cara G.
The police took down Philly Jesus, only a matter of time before they taser the daylights out of Sham Cow. – Bill C.
New neighborhood mascot loading…. – Twin Realtors
Graffiti has a rich history and is truly a beautiful art form. I’m always happy to support local artists of all media. #WeAreShamily 💥🐄☕– Whitney G.
Someone should make a page called “I Like When People Spray Paint the City and Keep Making It Look Like Shit.” — Matt M.
Part of Modern Art is the off-putting feeling of seeing property defaced for the sake of art. It gets the people goin’ — Brandon B.
We got Sham Cow! You asked, CBS Philadelphia delivered. Watch for the full story Tuesday morning! LINK — Steve L.
🤔❓What do you think? Is Sham Cow art or vandalism? Please add your comments below or email editor@nwlocalpaper.com your best pics and critiques.
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