The Space Between Us

The Space Between Us is a collaborative artist book made in 2023 with artist Stephanie Van Riet. For about two years, I lived 20 miles outside of Philadelphia along the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail while Stephanie lived in the heart of Philadelphia. I communicated at least twice weekly from Norristown to the city to volunteer with Second State Press and access the print shop. It was at Second State Press that I reconnected with Stephanie and began working with her.

This piece is about the 120 mile long trail that connected Stephanie and I. We each walked about 10 miles from our homes and met in the middle of the trail. These prints are constructed from photographs we took along the trail. What struck me about the trail was its industrialized and urban character. The first instance of water I saw on my walk was not the river itself, but a water treatment facility. I documented every instance where I saw water while the river’s movement entranced Stephanie. The book is ultimately about connection, meeting, and working together.