Jack Herd’s art on heritage buildings and locations will be displayed at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre to support an upcoming symposium. Jena Carr spoke with the artist about his artworks and connection to Geelong ahead of the National Trust Geelong and Region Branch’s ‘Honouring the Past – Creating the Future’ on Thursday, October 9.
What is your connection to Geelong?
I was born and raised in Geelong and the surrounding area, where I still live and work to this day.
Different parts of my family history have also been in and out of the Geelong region since the 1850s.
What do you like most about where you live?
The thing I like most about Geelong is that it’s relatively easy to get around town for work and for pleasure, which also means I can find new locations to get reference photos for new artworks.
Is there anything you would change about where you live?
If I could change anything about Geelong, it would be better design and integration of the older buildings into new builds.
Facadism (the act of building a new structure while keeping the original facade) should be heavily discouraged, and instead, we should look to the older buildings and make efforts to incorporate some of their aesthetics into newer designs.
What is your preferred art form, and what inspired you to create artworks based on heritage buildings and locations?
My preferred art form is painting, as while it is straightforward to do, it can also be done in many ways for different projects.
My artworks were inspired by heritage artworks and buildings, as it is a way of showing my appreciation for them and showing that they have significantly influenced my practice as an artist, both directly and indirectly.
How does it feel to have your works displayed at the Geelong Library to support the upcoming heritage symposium?
I feel honoured to have been asked by the organisers of this symposium to have my works on display.
Past exhibitions have been either open calls or self-made exhibitions, either through university studies or through working things out on my own.
This one feels extra special as I have been specifically asked to show my work, as they are relevant to the symposium.
How important do you believe it is to honour and remember the region’s heritage?
I believe it is very important to honour and remember our region’s heritage as these places, whether it’s built or natural forms, have a lot to tell us about our local histories and can be made relevant to today’s society.
Especially in the case of the built form, these buildings should never be seen as a hindrance and a nuisance, and instead, could be respectfully integrated into any future use or construction plans.
Is there anything else you would like to add or say?
I would like to express a sincere thanks to the Geelong branch of the National Trust and to the Geelong Libraries team for allowing me to put together this exhibition.
They have been most cooperative with helping to source display materials, while also accommodating to the busy schedule I have had for myself these past few months.
