WHIRLIGIG
CulturePrince Edward Island
Date20th century
Object numberHF.2024.4.1
DescriptionA wooden whirligig with figure of a seated figure milking a white and black cow. The base of the whirligig is pointed, painted red with black “U” shaped brush strokes on the exterior to look like roof shingles. A vertical arm is mounted from the center of the base at attaches to the horizontal main body of the whirligig. On the front of the main body is a fan with four paddles painted white on the front and back with blue polka dots and with red on the exterior edges. The fan is mounted at the center with cylindrical metal hardware which extends beneath the main body of the whirligig, branching upward at the seated figure. When the fan turns, the man’s left arm moves up and down as if they are milking the cow. The man is dressed in blue and is seated on a blue stool supported by a single post. The cow has long, cylindrical nipples which protrude at a slight angle from the udder, grey horns, and black ears. The back of the whirligig has a paddle-like tail painted white with green horizontal stripes and blue polka dots with green and blue bars painted on the exterior edge. Narrative
Arthur MacNeill (b.1926) was a sculptor and woodcarver from St. Peter’s Bay, PEI. Working with "as found" materials, MacNeill was known for producing folk art pieces that depicted people at play and at their occupations. Elongated faces are a stylistic element that can be seen in many examples of MacNeill's work. Folk art styles are unique to the people of a specific location. The art is used as an expression of that specific society. For MacNeill, his work consists of representations of the Island's way of life such as this whimsical depiction of a farmer’s dedication to his livestock. MacNeill’s recognizable sculptures are collected widely by the private collectors as well as museums including the Canadian Museum of History.
