A photographic series born out of COVID-19 and grown during the ongoing isolation of 2020
‘While There’s Space Between Us’ showcases portraits and interviews of 100 individuals working in creative industries to act as a microcosmic illustration of the profound effect COVID-19 has had in Sydney.
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 and income for an indefinite period of time.
Working in and being surrounded by people in the creative industry, 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 me into action. I picked up my 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 remaining 2 meters distance between us at all times.
After these nine days the situation worsened and I too began to self-isolate. During this time, I started to go through the 100 moments –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. I began to share the project publicly onInstagram, an artists a day. The response was overwhelming with people 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 anticipated. Thank you to the 100 people who were willing to lay bare their experiences – your raw emotions and thoughts have enabled me to humanise an anomalous moment in time.
I hope that these moments provide you with a sense of company and that through me lens you come to find peace in the realisation that while there is space between us now, it is just and intermission.
Jasmin Simmons is a Sydney based photographer and actor. Her interest in photography began at an early age when she was given an old film camera from her Father. She became particularly interested in photographing people whilst undertaking her tertiary education at NIDA, as she began to capture moments backstage of her peers as they prepared for theatre shows, and in the years following, where she took promotional photos for theatrical productions.
Jasmin’s Work is primarily focused on people, thinking of her work as 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, truthful way. The use of film and natural light in her work further aids this sense of authenticity, fluidity and the feeling of suspending fleeting moments in time.
‘While There’s Space Between Us’ showcases portraits and interviews of 100 individuals working in creative industries to act as a microcosmic illustration of the profound effect COVID-19 has had in Sydney.
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 and income for an indefinite period of time.
Working in and being surrounded by people in the creative industry, 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 me into action. I picked up my 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 remaining 2 meters distance between us at all times.
After these nine days the situation worsened and I too began to self-isolate. During this time, I started to go through the 100 moments –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. I began to share the project publicly onInstagram, an artists a day. The response was overwhelming with people 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 anticipated. Thank you to the 100 people who were willing to lay bare their experiences – your raw emotions and thoughts have enabled me to humanise an anomalous moment in time.
I hope that these moments provide you with a sense of company and that through me lens you come to find peace in the realisation that while there is space between us now, it is just and intermission.
Jasmin Simmons is a Sydney based photographer and actor. Her interest in photography began at an early age when she was given an old film camera from her Father. She became particularly interested in photographing people whilst undertaking her tertiary education at NIDA, as she began to capture moments backstage of her peers as they prepared for theatre shows, and in the years following, where she took promotional photos for theatrical productions.
Jasmin’s Work is primarily focused on people, thinking of her work as 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, truthful way. The use of film and natural light in her work further aids this sense of authenticity, fluidity and the feeling of suspending fleeting moments in time.
