‘While There’s Space Between Us’ is an exhibition that showcases portraits and interviews of 100 individuals working in creative industries.
These portraits act as a microcosmic illustration of the profound effect COVID-19 has had on Sydney, and aims to put a face, and give voice, to some of the many individuals that make up the Arts industry.
In March, when restrictions first started to come into place, creative jobs were one of the first to be forced to stop. The cessation of the creative arts left countless actors, directors, photographers, prop makers, designers, dancers, opera singers, stage managers and more without jobs or income for an indefinite period of time.
Jasmin Simmons is a Sydney based photographer and actor, whose interest in photography began when she was given an old film camera by her father when she was young.
She became particularly interested in photographing people studying acting at NIDA, as she began to capture backstage moments of her peers as they prepared for theatre shows.
“Working in and being surrounded by people in the creative industry,” says Jasmin Simmons, “I experienced first-hand what this abrupt ambiguity had on our emotional and cognitive health. Dealing with isolation, the loss of purpose and the uncertainty of the future is terrifying.”
This feeling, and the hope that it was a once in a lifetime experience, propelled Simmons into action. She picked up her camera and began to document it. “For nine days I drove to the homes of 100 individuals where they were self-isolating. I took polaroids, film portraits, and interviewed each contributor – all whilst maintaining a 2-meter distance at all times.After these nine days the situation worsened and I too began to self-isolate.”
During this time Simmons started to go through the 100 moments she’d collected: editing film, scanning polaroids, and transcribing each interview. “At my most alone it was these 100 people that provided me company – some solace; a sense of belonging and a safe place.”
When she began to share the project publicly on Instagram, an artist a day, the response was overwhelming, “people were reaching out to tell me how the series was helping them feel less alone during isolation; that it made them feel connected to something and someone. The project has grown to become extremely special to me and has had an impact larger than I ever anticipated.”
Jasmin’s work is primarily focused on people; portraits that challenge the traditional nature of the genre – ‘portraits that aren’t portraits’. Her form of natural, raw, and vulnerable portraiture enables moments to be captured in an intimate and truthful way.
“I hope that these moments provide you with a sense of company, and that through my lens you come to find peace in the realisation that while there is space between us now, it is just an intermission.”
‘While There’s Space Between Us’ will be exhibiting at Gaffa Gallery in Sydney’s CBD from Saturday 3rd October to Monday 12th October, 2020.
EVENT DETAILS
What: While There’s Space Between Us by Jasmin Simmons
Venue: Gaffa Gallery 281 Clarence St, Sydney
Dates: 1st – 12th October
Times: Mon – Fri: 10-6pm, Sat: 10-5pm, Sun: Closed
Ticket: Free event