STEWART JOEL  

Born in 1959 in California and educated at the University of Southern California, Joel Stewart has lived in Kyoto since 1987. His work spans etchings, lithographs, and watercolours, combining Western technique with deeply Japanese themes. Stewart’s art features in prestigious collections including the Portland Art Museum, Allen Memorial Museum, Los Angeles County Museum, and the Morgan Stanley collection in Japan. He has exhibited widely in both Japan and the United States.

Stewart draws inspiration from the quiet beauty of everyday Japanese life. From snowy farmhouses and drying umbrellas to stacked pickle barrels or a single magnified cherry blossom, his subjects are both intimate and iconic. Recently, he’s turned his focus to ceramic textures, bringing pots and vases to life with three-dimensional depth. While etchings and colour aquatints remain his primary media, he often paints with watercolour when sketching the Kyoto countryside outdoors.

Blending abstract concepts with visual realism, Stewart’s latest project involves large-format prints displayed on handmade Japanese byoubu screens. This unique approach allows for a conversation between art forms and formats—an interplay between old and new. His dedication to capturing Japanese culture through Joel Stewart's etchings and prints makes his work especially meaningful to collectors seeking Kyoto-inspired art with global reach.