From Sydney to The Gambia and back again, Doerthe Jansen's journey to Africa comes full cirlce with a new exhibition at the Bondi Pavilion.
In 2007, Doerthe Jansen, a successful filmmaker and artist, swapped her three story inner-city Sydney terrace for a grass hut in The Gambia (population 1.8 million), West Africa.
"I had a successful job…but I reached a point where I realised that accumulating more luxuries was not going to make me any happier," says Jansen. "I wasn’t an unhappy person, but I had a growing feeling that my life wasn’t challenging or meaningful enough."
Jansen's journey to the other side of the world has now come full circle with a photo exhibition and short film which will be shown at Sydney's Bondi Pavilion from 30 April to 12 May 2012.
Journey to The Gambia crosses immense geographical and cultural divides and is a record of German-born Jansen's daily life in Gunjur, a small fishing village on the southern coast of The Gambia. The exhibition is also a collaboration with Jansen's partner, Gambian-born artist and craftsperson Abibu Njie, who Jansen met shortly after arriving in Gunjur.
Jansen will talk about her experiences and screen the short film 'My Journey to the Gambia' at 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the exhibition. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm daily and entry is free.
Exhibition: Journey to The Gambia Artists: Doerthe Jansen & Abibu Njie Gallery: Bondi Pavilion Gallery Address: Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach Dates: 30 April – 12 May 2013 Opening Night: 1 May 2013 6pm-8pm Hours: Daily 10am - 5pm Movie Screening & Artist Talk: “My Journey to The Gambia” – 3pm Screenings Sat 04 May, Sun 05 May, Sat 11 May, Sun 12 May Cost: Free
'Aminiata, Katjatou, Aminiata'. Image by Doerthe Jansen.
'Bread Delivery Boy'. Image by Doerthe Jansen.
'Gunjur Beach'. Image by Doerthe Jansen.
'Gunjur Beach Fish'. Image by Doerthe Jansen.
'Jenaba'. Image by Doerthe Jansen.
'Women Preparing For Naming Ceremony'. Image by Doerthe Jansen.
