Exhibition Catalogue

Together / Apart is a collection of photographs representing 22 photographersfrom around the globe. These images have been selected from a pool of submissions, mostly through the Instagram hashtag #togetherapartexhibition

The pictures tackle themes of communityjuxtaposed with social isolation. Together / Apart is envisioned as a neutral meetingplace for all different walks of life.

The Together / Apart exhibition was the creation of Jonathon Stephenson, a third year publishing student at Bath Spa University.

As a photographer himself (instagram: @jonathonseagull), Jonathon had seen a need for a good collaborative photo exhibition.

The opportunity came as part of a university module called the Creative Enterprise. Students have a very broad brief, and must undertake projects of their choosing, which are then captured and submitted for marking.

The Together / Apart exhibition represents a culmination of Jonathon’s experiences working and interacting with creative industry in Bath.

For something which was promoted on social media, and in a couple of choice locations through small posters, the Together / Apart exhibition garnered a positive reception.

This approval was manifest in the comments and responses which people had to the exhibition online. Since much of Together / Apart was organised through Instagram, this was where there was the most activity. On the evening of the private viewing, many people used Instagram Story to live share their experience.

The same good response was felt on Twitter, where photo’s of the event where retweeted and liked.

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Robert W Tobin brings this image of a shaded hand. With its deceptively simple outline, and clean high key light, the image asks the viewer to meet it openly. In case you were wondering, that hand belongs to Michael Hut (@opus74x).

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This photo was the first in the sequence on the gallery walls. Taken by street hustler Merx in Taipei City, Taiwan it captures a curious pair of passers by looking into a window of one of the cities old buildings. The image captures an inquisitive moment, which serves as a manifesto for the rest of the exhibition.

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These two characters were spotted by Maisie Walker, as she explored the great stone power structures of London one evening. The image directs one to consider the differences, and commonalities between people.

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1James calls this image Under Earth, and it is the third in a series shot in Shoreditch, London. It presents abstract, statue like forms of people viewed in secret from below.

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Step forth into Will McClelands deeply layered image. The shadows, patterns and tones of light create an element of soft abstraction. Meanwhile there are real details of human life throughout. One subtle detail is that the shadow was cropped into and used as the main promotional image for the exhibition.

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rAirports are places where people come together in such great numbers, and in such diversity. Jakes image exposes the form of a group of queueing travellers.

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xLondon photographer @sixsevensix brings us one of his signiture, queitly refined images. Notice the pattern of peoples legs sticking out, as they sit partitioned right the way to the back. The photo was taken by the walls of Temple Church, London.

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The subject of Genevieves shot spans hundreds of years and reaches into the lost history of the Inca. Shot on site at Sacsayhuayman in Cusco, Peru the image presents a comparison of the modern explorer and ancient civilisation.

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Zach took this image whilst walking along Hadrians wall, constructed by the ancient Romans as a border to their territory. This exhibition was shown in a gallery right next to the Roman Baths of Bath City; an interesting contextual connection.

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This picture shows a man on his own, staring intently down at his little screen. Matt expertly raises the idea of separation, and the illusion of connection through technology. This moment was captured in Amsterdam.

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Animals and humans can have fascinating connections. Equine bonds with man are something long established and understood. Photographer Fiona witnessed this incredible moment, where both beast and man are focused on each other.

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Harry sent this image and it was immediately obvious that it would fit. Many of these images directly reprsenting the theme of community and isolation with people, however in this case we look to nature to tell a similar story. This tree is very much isolated, surrounded by fog that seems in this picture like pure light.

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liaThe only image from the exhibition, in which the photographer has boldly included themself in frame. This image rewards close inspection, as layers of detail and reflection lay hidden. It is the interactions happening all around which you should see.

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This contribution of sumptuous golden tones, comes from Claudio Bagalio. You can appreciate where that old dream of streets paved with gold came from. Notice too, the perfectly framed man with his umbrella. Taken opposite St. Johns Hospice, Bath.

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Here, we the viewer are separated from the subjects of the image by a fence, drawing comparison to the Apartheid of decades past in Gauteng, South Africa. Londeka has captured a dense collage of the communal culture of these people. The fact that the image is in black and white seems especially poignant.

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Hugo contibuted this fascinating shot of a group of men bathing together in the Indian Himalayas. He says "Hot baths are a focal point of the community and an important social occasion, just as the Roman Baths were thousands of years ago".

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sBeing alone doesn't always equate to being lonely, as this image by Emilie reminds us. The different levels of detail pile one on top of the other like strata. Captured at St Barbara's Church in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic.

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You can imagine the music flowing out of this bright yellow piano, catching passing people by surprise. @perspektibo brings this strange concert to the Together / Apart show. Captured in the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park in Seoul, South Korea.

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These shoes hang from a wire in Melbourne, Australia and photographer Oscar has titled the image "Lost and Found". He says "We wear different shoes to match our personality; the doc martin, the steel cap, the brogues. All say something about the person". The shoes represent stories here.

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02This man standing with his sign in the middle of crowded London. The image brings into question the diversity of opinion and ideas which people now have, in a style reminiscent of traditional photo journalism.

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One of the few images without people, Gertie focused instead on the conceptual idea of religion and its many and diverse significances to different people. The dutch tilt and upward angle of the image hint at something evocative. Perhaps its reverie, or perhaps it's terror, or something else entirely. This is free to the viewers interpretation.

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We can surely relate to the feeling of this anonymous man in the cafe. Taken in Bath City by Michael Kitney, he responded perfectly and in the moment to this scene. The person has an openness and authenticity of character because he is totally unaware of the camera.