Stuart Pilkington is not a ‘big name’ in the world of photography and yet he was important to anyone who knew of him and his initiatives. We are used to marking the passing of the greats of photography but the lesser known names are seldom written about. Those who worked selflessly without payment to make things happen for the good of photography and its sometimes fractious community. Those who have no ego, no desire to build follower numbers or ‘in-your-face’ marketing strategies when it came to social media. Stuart was a person who existed outside of that noise and yet his influence within the UK photo community far belied his name recognition.
I first came across Stuart when he contacted me some ten years or so ago. He wanted to talk about setting up a photo competition and bounce around some ideas. That was very Stu. He listened and become informed. Subsequently he established ‘The Swap’. A very simple concept in which on two separate days two photographers would photograph each other and create two portraits. On day one, person one was the photographer and the other became the subject and on day two they swapped roles so that the photographer became the subject and visa versa. He believed that the idea of being in front of the camera was abhorent to a lot of photographers but for those who were willing to take part it was an opportunity to create something collaboratively. The photographers were encouraged to sprinkle their magic and be creative with their images. These were Stu’s words. Once both images were ready they were sent by e-mail to Stu and published on the Swaps website. Each set of images were given at least three days on the welcome page and then archived for all to see https://www.theswap.info/photographers.html. The amount and quality of photographers Stu connected with through this project is a testiment to his character and commitment to sharing the images of others. The BBC even did a news story on it https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-30176410?fbclid=IwAR0hT71mGV6XWrQUOHFZceEF_ZY6hq-dIDNFMR7aQEZ0JGZLOzJqoGy4cEQ
Stu was full of ideas and was constantly working on new projects and initiatives and even when a stroke dramatically impacted on his life at an early age he continued connecting through Facebook, posting images and saying hello!
He never stopped making images even from his motorised wheelchair and these images became small self-published photo books. Like him they were modest, considered and enigmatic in their image choice and production. He sent me two, one titled Strangers in Paradise and the other Ball Games. I treasure these even more now that he is gone just as I do the note he included in the second book.
Rest in peace Stu, I know that wherever you now are you will still be making images. I dont think anything can stop you from doing that. I also know that you will not be forgotten by those who knew you. You may have died but you have left something very special in the world of photography, your spirit.
You can post your own memories of Stu and read the memories of others here https://www.facebook.com/stuart.pilkington.7
© Grant Scott 2024
Que son âme repose éternellement en paix