【The Hong Kong Naturalist】Postcards

The Hong Kong Naturalist How do we make choices and find our footing amidst the ebb and flow of life? Perhaps we can find some inspiration from a British man who called Hong Kong home in the last century. From teaching in the Department of Biology at the University of Hong Kong, to being interned in a concentration camp during the fall of Hong Kong, and later serving as the Director of the Extension Services after the war, before finally resigning and returning to his home country in 1948 – regardless of the changing times and circumstances, Geoffrey A. C. Herklots consistently applied his biological knowledge for the public good. Herklots began teaching in the Department of Biology at the University of Hong Kong in 1928. At a time when there was little public attention paid to the local natural environment, he co-founded the quarterly journal "The Hong Kong Naturalist" with Alfred Herbert Crook, the former headmaster of Queen's College. The journal discussed the history and characteristics of local flora and fauna in an accessible manner, complemented by detailed illustrations and photographs. He had no profit motive and even contributed his salary to this engaging and tasteful magazine. Although the quarterly ceased publication in 1941 due to the fall of Hong Kong, it later fostered the development of research and local knowledge, and inspired literati who moved south in the 1950s, such as Ye Lingfeng, to write works like "A Catalogue of Hong Kong Native Things". During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, Herklots was interned in Stanley Internment Camp. However, he was not defeated by the hardships of the time. He firmly believed that the day of liberation would come and even envisioned a detailed development blueprint for post-war Hong Kong in the camp. After the war, he seized the opportunity to turn his ideas into action, serving as the Director of the Extension Services and promoting numerous reforms until his resignation in 1948, after Sir Alexander Grantham took office as Governor. Among the colonial officials of that era, Herklots was among the minority who advocated for equal treatment of the Chinese. One of the most significant reforms during his tenure was the establishment of a marketing system for fish and vegetables, which resolved the issue of farmers and fishermen being exploited by middlemen and ensured sufficient food production to meet the growing post-war population. Although his name has gradually faded from public memory, the contributions left by Herklots continue to benefit Hong Kong. Change is never an overnight success, and individual destinies are more or less influenced by the broader environment of the times. However, we still possess the power to make this place a little better. From the first issue of "The Hong Kong Naturalist" published in 1930 by Geoffrey A. C. Herklots, we have meticulously selected several hand-painted illustrations of local native birds, transforming them into the "Resident in Hong Kong" postcard series and the "Missing Hong Kong" Wall Art collection. With soft colors and textured paper, the lively and approachable forms of the birds not only showcase the rich and diverse ecology of this place, but the delicate brushstrokes also reveal the dedication of those who poured their hearts into documenting this land. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52850569988_e15fdc2e5d_w_d.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52850509955_99878e993e_w_d.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52849538072_9f113e73bd_w_d.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52850509920_c217299c35_w_d.jpg Originally featured in "This is Hong Kong" Spring 2019 Paper Size | 10.5 x 14.8cm Paper | Iridium Felt 240g Printing | Digital Printing Product Code | P003 / Set of 4 cards, handmade / Shipped in a padded envelope