Q AND ART: Photographer Josh Stewart
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Welcome to Q and Art, where we ask local artists the same set of questions then they give us the name of the next artist to interview. In this interview, we talk to photographer Josh Stewart.
1) Tell us a little about your background.
I grew up in Middletown, Delaware; a super small town in New Castle County. It is, or more or less used to be, a really beautiful farming town which had open spaces, but little room for me to grow creatively. I began to realize I wanted to pursue photography as a career was when I was stuck between wanting to become a dental student or an art student. My friends sat me down on New Year's Eve during our senior year of high school and convinced me that I should be pursuing what would make me happiest, so I chose photography. Shortly after, I applied for The University of the Arts and then moved out of Middletown. Choosing to move to the city was the best possible thing for me. I spent four extremely rigorous years working in mediums like photography, to printmaking, to glass. School broadened my knowledge of what art was and what it could be. Not to mention, I worked alongside some of the most talented people during my time there. Just this May, I graduated with a BFA in photography which was pretty cool!
2) What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on just being active in making photos. Creating is what is really important to me. I don't want to settle for a life where I don't have a camera in my hands. I have worked on a project since the beginning of senior year at UArts that I will continue to shoot for a while. The project consists of reassessing memories from my home and how they have changed over time. Recently, Chelsea Griffith, a friend and a fellow Alum of UArts, and I agreed have to make new bodies of work that will end up as a show. I have a loose idea of what the new project may be about, but it's still largely in the works. As for now, I just want to get my name out there by submitting to blogs and publications, show people what I do, and talk about what others are doing in photography.
3) What's your favorite thing to eat locally?
Oh, this is a tough one. I love to eat. Even if food is terrible, I'll eat it. The best eats around would probably be Blackbird, Sabrina's, and The Lite Choice — their ice cream makes me feel less guilty when I'm eating my feelings.
4) What's your favorite thing to do in this area?
Riding my bike with my boyfriend and other friends is always the best, especially during the fall. Philly also has a lot of really amazing galleries and museums that I think people don't take advantage of often enough. Take a trip to places like The Print Center, Gallery 339, Lock's Gallery and you will see some amazing work people put their lives into. The city has a lot to offer when it comes to galleries and such.
5) Give us your insider tip to the city.
It's pretty useless tip considering the time of the year BUT when ever it snows in the city, go outside no matter what you are doing. Take a walk, sit in the park on on your stoop. The snow makes this city so quiet. I've always found it to be a beautiful and peaceful moment.
6) And finally, pick the next local local artist for us to interview.
Logan Maakestad
Where to find Josh Stewart
Website: http://www.jshstwrt.com/
Blog: http://jshstwrtphoto.tumblr.com/
Instagram: @jshstwrtphoto
