Chadds Ford, Pa. – A Visual Symphony of Loss and Culture

Photographer Frank Stewart's latest exhibition captures the profound devastation of cultural landmarks, likening the imagery to a war-torn cemetery. His work, which includes haunting photographs of destroyed churches and flattened tombstones, aims to convey the impact of loss on music and culture. Stewart, who has a rich history as a photographer for the Savannah Music Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, emphasizes the elemental role of music in his artistic expression. Stewart's connection to music runs deep, having collaborated closely with Grammy-winning musician Wynton Marsalis, whom he describes as a brother. Among the highlights of his exhibition is “Stomping the Blues,” a striking photograph of Marsalis leading his orchestra during a world tour of his Pulitzer Prize-winning work, “Blood on the Fields.” This personal connection to music is further enriched by Stewart's family background; his stepfather, Phineas Newborn Jr., was a renowned pianist who played alongside jazz legends. Growing up in the "apartheid South," Stewart draws inspiration from influential photographers like Ernest Cole and Roy DeCarava, the latter being one of his mentors at New York’s Cooper Union. Stewart recalls his encounters with Cole, who faced homelessness in New York, and credits him with inspiring his artistic journey. He emphasizes the importance of grounding his work in reality, stating that while photography captures facts, it also transcends them into a realm of abstract expression.