Jennifer Herd facts for kids
Jennifer Herd is an amazing Indigenous Australian artist. She is from the Mbar-barrum people in North Queensland. Jennifer helped start a group called ProppaNOW for artists. She also taught art at the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane. In 2003, she won a big art prize called the Theiss Art Prize for her Master's degree work.
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Becoming an Artist and Teacher
Jennifer Herd first studied fashion design. She worked in fashion and theater for 12 years. Later, she decided to become a teacher for young children. She got her teaching diploma from Queensland University of Technology. After that, she went back to the Queensland College of Art. There, she earned a Master's degree in Visual Arts. Jennifer taught art at the Queensland College of Art for many years, from 1993 until she retired in 2014.
What Jennifer's Art is About
Jennifer Herd's art often explores important ideas about Indigenous life. She shares stories about traditions and what it's like to be an Indigenous woman today. She was born "out of country," meaning away from her traditional lands. This experience often inspires her art.
Shields in Her Art
Shields are a very important part of North Queensland culture. Jennifer often uses them in her artwork. For her, shields represent strength and protection. They also connect to old traditions where women would decorate shields for warriors.
ProppaNOW: A Voice for Artists
In 2003, Jennifer Herd helped create ProppaNOW. This is a group of artists who wanted to "give urban-based Aboriginal artists a voice." This means they wanted to help Indigenous artists living in cities share their art and ideas. ProppaNOW works together to create new and better chances for these artists.
Art Shows and Awards
Jennifer Herd's art has been shown in many places, and she has won awards for her work.
Exhibitions
Her art has been displayed in many art shows, also called exhibitions. Here are a few examples:
- 2015 GOMA Q: Contemporary Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane
- 2012 proppaNOW exhibition Fehily Contemporary Collingwood Melbourne
- 2011 Shared Vision QCA Poland Travelling Exhibition Poland
- 2011 Australia Felix Philadelphia, United States, America
- 2010 Southbank Board Walk Project Griffith University and Southbank Corp
- 2005 San Francisco Bayiennally San Francisco California USA
Selected Awards
- 2017 Sunshine Coast Art Prize (Highly Commended Award) Caloundra Regional Gallery
- 2016 33rd National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (Finalist) Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory
- 2003 Theiss Prize (winner) QCA Gallery Griffith University Southbank
Her Story and Inspirations
In 2021, Jennifer Herd shared her life story in a special interview. This interview is part of the James C Sourris AM Collection at the State Library of Queensland. In it, Jennifer talks about her life, her art, and what inspires her to create.
