Stewart, Sharon 2011-08-04
Sharon Stewart talks about her interests in photography developed since she was a child. She shares her experience as a photographer. She speaks about Toxic Tour of Texas and tells about the effects the tour had on her creativity. She is now interested in culture in New Mexico
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Sharon Stewart
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: August 04, 2011
Location: Chacon, New Mexico
Interviewer: Andy Wilkinson
Length: 01:41:01
Abstract
Introduction, Born in Edinburg, Texas, Father’s profession (Attorney), Father served in army, Father’s stories of war, Parents moved to Edinburg in 1948, Artistic Side, Family’s artistic interests, Paternal Great Grandfather’s photography talent, Pursued photography since childhood, Siblings Information, Lost a valuable antique camera, Photography, Self taught photographer, Learnt professional photography, Developed photographic skills, Owned a dark room at the age of nine, Education, Went to University of Texas, Studied Finance and Economics, Received Bachelors in Business Administration, Left graduate studies halfway, Good at Mathematics, Photography as a profession:, Went to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1979, Learnt color process from John Taylor, Bought a house in Austin, Bought photographs, Worked in studio, Move to Houston, Moved to Houston in 1980, Started Houston Center for Photography, Photographer’s driven organization, Organizational activities, Was involved in International photo festival, Experience in photography, Experimental in photography, Worked on Photogram, Travelled and photographed in Europe, Worked on super chrome, First exhibition at Houston, Beam of Eros, Based on Human sexuality, Described the experience, Exhibited those photographs at many places, Nude photography, Was impressed by the model, Inspired by Human Sexuality, Technique used, Experience as a Photographer, Photographed environmental organizations, Moved by the groups, Toxic Tour of Texas, First interview of Toxic Texas tour in spring of 1989, Driving around Texas City, Cities covered in Toxic Texas Tour, Interviewed and photographed people, Photographed till 1992, Interviewed Industry and regular people, Topic was issues of environment, Displayed photographs in State Capital, Need Of awareness, Toxic Tour Texas photographs, Selected by Texas Humanity Resource Center, Exhibition by Texas photographic society, Favorite venue Victoria Shopping Mall, Texas, Toxic Tour of Texas was famous, Work was used in AACP on Environmental Racism, Companies found it offensive, Rejection from Center of History, Texas, Effects of the tour on creativity, Achievements, Received Artist fellowship, Grant from Mid-America Arts Alliance, Direct effects of tour on people, Continued photography, Issues related to environmental movements, Settled in New Mexico, Love for New Mexico, Wanted to be close to nature, Moved to northern New Mexico in June 18, 1994, Mother’s death in March 2nd, 1992, Activism in water issues, Gravity Flow irrigation systems, Took part in Lympia, ditch cleaning, Hazardous waste affecting ground water, Invitation to water in the west project, Distribution of water, Involved in water use and abuse in the west, After the Toxic tour of Texas, Continued photography, Interested in culture in Mexico, Involved in sacia New Mexico Association, End
Access Information
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