Incollect Magazine - Issue 11

Incollect Magazine 71 David Stewart Brenda Taylor Gallery David Stewart works between the parallel worlds of advertising and fine art as a photographer and short film director. His fine art photography tends towards the playful, depicting unusual, off-beat, somewhat absurd images of everyday life, but always with a poignant, touching humanity. Portraiture is where his talent lies and is the basis of several successful photograph collections using an uncommon and exceptionally vibrant photographic technique. He works with large-format cameras using 8×10 and 4×5 film and the Carbro printing process — a sophisticated carbon- bromide printing technique which relies on contact with silver bromide paper rather than direct light exposure, which accommodates a much broader spectrum of pigments beyond traditional carbon black. The process of making an image can take over two weeks and Stewart used handmade paper to accommodate the large size of the prints. The results are pictures of exceptional color depth and visual intensity. “My 2001 collection, Fogeys, comprises kitschy, cartoon-like photos of people growing old disgracefully,” the artist explains. Des’s First Date, 1998, is one of the best known images in this series, showing an older man with flat disheveled hair tentatively holding a bouquet of bright red roses. He looks extremely nervous, unsure if his gift will be well-received. The image is simultaneously witty and cringe-making, yet endearing. June in February, 1998. Courtesy of the artist. Des's First Date, 1998. Courtesy of the artist.