"If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument."
Eve Arnold
 

                                                      

Katie Stewart seeks moments where a story lays frozen in a single shot. The formal qualities of her work are enhanced by her innate ability to foresee where she needs to be next. This gift of anticipating the moment comes from her investment in people, life’s undercurrents and understanding stories: digging around and revealing something experienced, but sometimes not seen or noticed.

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Stewart's father was a school principal, which meant the family of six were transferred often. They moved to rural and regional Queensland towns, changing schools and experiencing different landscapes, worlds and personalities. Stewart would idealise situations and people to cope with the change. Gradually, she was forced to adapt, be curious and understand that change is central to life and that there are infinite ways to live. However, one thing was consistent in Stewart's childhood: education and politics dominated the dinner table conversations. These conversations were foundational to the way she began viewing the world and taking photographs.

 

Stewart does not separate her work as a teacher, community development worker and public servant, from her photography. To her, these roles have been both professional and personal creative endeavours: committing to human rights based approaches, in all work she undertakes. Each role has informed the other and all have provided her opportunities to create with diversity of communities and individuals. This led to Stewart documenting hundreds of people using photography and film, while collaboratively designing and facilitating community events and exhibitions for over 22 years. 

 

Stewart's photography is both about the inner (personal peace), and the outer (cultural, political and social). Her relationship with people in front of the lens and her state of mind is as necessary as her camera when working. When she takes a photo, sometimes it is just about that moment. Other times it's about the ideas that Stewart represents in the image. Her work presents images of the mundane and unnoticed; observation and recognition; life and personal moments. All uniquely experienced and universally understood.