Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined

Written By Jennie Hinchcliff

Opening reception: Friday, May 9, 2025 || 6:00 - 8:00 pm || RSVP details coming soon!

Opening Saturday, April 19th, SFCB’s Spring 2025 exhibition of artists’ books delves into the limitations and injustices associated with borders and identity documents. It also encourages viewers to see the potential of the passport to become a symbol of greater freedom of movement, identity expression, human connection, and hope in an increasingly fragmented world.

On tour courtesy of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, this innovative exhibition explores the concept of the passport beyond its traditional function as a travel document. Curated by Catherine Alice Michaelis and Cynthia Sears, twelve new artists’ books were specially commissioned for this exhibition, with additional works selected from the Cynthia Sears Artist Book Collection at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. 

Each commissioned artist was tasked with reimagining the passport in a way that was meaningful to them. Artists chose to address themes of gender identity, climate change and forced migration, animal migration patterns, plant life and changing climate zones, immigration, and the future, including passports for interplanetary travel and time travel.

The commissioned artists include Ben Blount, Sandra C. Fernandez, Asuka Ohsawa, Amos Kennedy Jr., Kitty Koppleman, Mare Blocker, Shana Agid, Roberto Benavidez, Carletta Carrington Wilson, Shu-Ju Wang, Sun Young Kang and Stephanie Adams - Santos, and Mita Mahato.

The exhibition also showcases additional artists’ books drawn from the Cynthia Sears Artists' Books Collection, housed at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, all featuring or inspired by passports. These include works by Errant Press, Alisa Golden, Delia Touché, Sauda Mitchell, Anneli Skaar, and more.

Jennie Hinchcliff
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