Fishing for Inspirational Art

The International Fishing Series commissioned renowned local artist John Heard to craft a distinctly Hinchinbrook IFS perpetual trophy, that will be awarded each year to the IFS champion angler. 

About John Heard

I originally came from the Shoalhaven district of NSW.  I then resided in Northern NSW from the age of seventeen until I was thirty-eight.  Since 1992 I have lived in the Hinchinbrook Shire.  I have been interested in art from a young age and have been doing various works in a variety of media.

Nowadays, I pretty much stick to sculpture and airbrush.  My sculptures are mostly in steel or metal of some kind as for a few years I worked as a boiler maker and aircraft welder.  Most of the sculptures I do come from the natural world – I don’t try to make an exact copy of an animal or plant, I just put my spin on nature.  In paintings I like to do anything out there, generally the dark side of the world or human nature.  I didn’t start to exhibit my work until about a year ago, mostly because I didn’t have time.  I have had some success selling pieces locally and away including winning a couple of awards for my sculptures.

A sculptor in metal and steel, John developed his metal work skills while working as a boiler maker and aircraft welder. John has been awarded numerous awards for his art work including the winner of the Open Category at the 37th Hinchinbrook Art Awards in 2015.

The inspiration of a recent piece was derived from the Aboriginal tale of Tiddalik the frog, a legend from Australian Aboriginal mythology. In telling the myth, Tiddalik the frog awoke one morning with an unquenchable thirst, and began to drink until all the fresh water was greedily consumed. Creatures and plant life began to die due to the lack of water.

Other animals conspired against Tiddalik, and derived a plan for him to release all of the water he had consumed. This was successfully coordinated by the wise owl, when Nabunum the eel made Tiddalik laugh when he tied himself in comical shapes. This work is now a piece of public art, sitting in the TYTO quadrangle.

To purchase this artisans work visit the Regional Art Gallery Gift Shoppe.