English photographer John Stewart, born in 1922, died today at the age of 95. His decisive encounter with Henri Cartier-Bresson and the discovery of his laboratory put an end to his young military career in the British Army.
Born in London, raised in Paris, he moved to New York in 1951 with photographs by Picasso, Matisse and Braco under his arm. He made his debut in the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, under the direction of artistic director Alexei Brodovitch, before collaborating to Fortune and Vogue magazines. Stewart then became the technical advisor of The Bridge on the River Kwai movie in Cambodia. Troughout his long-lasting career, Stewart returned several times in Asia to document life : Myanmar and its fighters, Tibet while the country was forbidden to tourists.
1976 marked a turning point in his career. Well-established as a fashion photographer, he chose to turn a more documented, nature-oriented approach to photography. Black & white experiences through charcoal prints guided his new experiences. That same year, his works were quickly appreciated: they were shown at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris, and as far as Hong Kong and Shanghai. All his experiences required a long-lasting works and patience : it took three days to take out a 60 x 80 cm of a charcoal print.
So far, his continuous experimentations, as well as his own glance, have improved the technique of drawing coal, revealing strength and beauty in the exploration of landscapes and still lifes.
Stewart spent the last quarter of his life between Paris and the Provence. In 1996, he also founded the charity NGO ‘Iris‘ with Michèle Claudel in Cambodia.
Arthur Dayras
