Eric Stewart (1903 - 1970)

Biography

1903 Born in Melbourne, Victoria
Night watchman with the Post-Master General's Department
Previously worked as a brick-layer, butcher, and wood merchant
Period in hospital recovering from Tuberculosis. Learnt a little about painting, trying to conform to traditional techniques
1967 Became ill again and told that he had not long to live
Painting style changed. Produced powerful pictures of Aboriginal legends, inspired by Roland Robinson's book 'Aboriginal Myths and Legends'
1970 Moved to New South Wales on medical advice, but died of a rare blood disorder soon after the move
1972 Artist Clifton Pugh discovered his work in a junk shop in Echuca, Victoria, declaring him a 'primitive genius'. Subsequently located other works in various parts of Victoria

Exhibitions

Never exhibited publicly during his lifetime. A number of posthumous exhibitions including:

1972  'Primitive Painters: Eric L Stewart', Powell Street Gallery, South Yarra
1972  'Eric L Stewart', Macquarie Galleries, Sydney

Collections

Collection of Clifton Pugh
Numerous private collections

Sources:
Bianca McCullogh, 'Australian Naïve Painters', Hill of Content, Melbourne, 1977
'Primitive Painters: Eric L Stewart', Powell Street Gallery, South Yarra, 20-25 March 1972
'Eric L Stewart', Macquarie Galleries, Sydney, exhibition list, 8-20 Nov 1972

KR