The Bridge Between was a 2021 collaboration between Sydney-based artist Robyn Ross and photographer Geoff Jaeger.
This unique exhibition was born from a shared concern about the polarising effects of social media and a climate of partisan politics.
Held in Sydney at Balmain’s Art Gallery on Darling, at its heart, the focus of the exhibition was on ‘the bridge’ we need to build between cultures, political views, genders, generations and more — that focus is no less diminished today.
Robyn exhibited portraits of culturally diverse Australians, as part of her desire to recognise their unique role in our society. Like her portrait subject Walangari, in The Bridge Between Robyn has chosen to use her art as a means of cross-cultural communication.
Her subjects included Aboriginal Artist Colin Walangari Karntawarra McCormack; Mayor of Leichhardt Darcy Byrne; Dr. Sheevalee Patel; Associate Professor Nabeel Ibrahim and one of Sydney’s notable underground DJs, Nick Reverse.
Geoff’s 3 photographs of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge are part of his focus on the city’s long-imbued spirit of 1967’s Summer of Love.
Bridges — like populations — can at first appear monolithic, yet when examined closely, it’s clear how the individual components make up the whole — as many and varied as those individual components may be.
The Bridge Between focused on our contemporary need to recognise ourselves in each other and build a more inclusive world.
The 3 photographs exhibited — and shown below— are now part of Geoff’s 2023 fundraising efforts as part of Olivia’s Walk for Wellness campaign.
L — R: Golden Gate 01; Golden Gate 03; Keep Right © Geoff Jaeger, 2011