For four decades, artistStan Herdhas been using the earth as his canvas.
Featuring NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, it stretches over 4,800 square feet.
The skills he’s cultivated after decades of creating these Earthworks shines through.
Herd doesn’t execute these pieces alone, but rather finds collaboration an important part of the journey.
The creation of Stephanie Wilson’s portrait was a process that, as always, involved the community.
Read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
Photo:The Art of Zarr
Photo:The Art of Zarr
You’ve been doing these earthworks for such a long time.
What inspired you to first start creating them?
I succeeded at that.
Finding a new way of seeing was on all of our minds.
My real focus was on the first peoplethe Native Americans whose land my ancestors had settled.
I would dedicate my life to creating statement artworks in the soil of my ancestors.
Photo:The Art of Zarr
What is the most satisfying part of these creations?
What jot down of tools do you use when making these pieces?
The tools are similar to a gardener, farmer, or landscape architect.
In the old days, we used airplanes and helicopters.
How did the idea and the collaboration for the Stephanie Wilson portrait come about?
My recent Atlanta connections with the City helped facilitate that effort.
Do you have one particular artwork that you are the proudest of?
Young Woman of China was my most ambitious work to date.
The image will survive an earthquake and last one hundred years.
