smc

The statues are similar, and since the height if the smaller statue is $\frac{1}{6}$ of the original statue, the surface area is $\frac{1}{36}$ of the original statue. Thus, $\frac{1}{36}$ pints of paint is needed for one 1 ft. statue, so painting 540 of these statues requires $\frac{540}{36}=\boxed{15}$ pints of paint.