In this series, Gavin Libotte delves into our existence in and around water on a more spiritual plane. He acknowledges that our human lives form part of something larger.

He visualizes individuals as unique drops of water belonging to the life’s ocean. According to him, we are swimming in an ocean of Prana, a field of Energy. He uses an underwater camera to draw nearer to subjects as they blend into the ocean. He probes the non-dual aspect of human existence, using water as the metaphor that binds us all as an expression of a single consciousness. The harsh Australian light is mirrored in the treatment of the images. Black and white construct an unusual backdrop for beach street photography; it renders the stage more ambiguous. Gavin observes that when people are engaged in an activity, they are very free and reveal more about their true nature.

About Gavin Libotte

Gavin Rene Libotte is an Australian photographer born in Kent Sussex England in 1969 and is currently based in Sydney. He studied Graphic Design, Fine Art and Jazz Guitar in Perth Western Australia. He started photography as a teenager using film while studying graphic design. After a long break he started using i Phones to make images and then went on to use Fuji and Ricoh cameras on the streets. Gavin is a fulltime musician and educator and has recently started working as a commercial photographer part time while spending the rest of his time working on his fine art street photography. Gavin is influenced by painters such as Gorgio De Chirico, Jeffery Smart and Caravaggio. His photographic influences include Ray K Metzker, Trent Parke and Alex Webb. He discovered that the practice of photography is in alignment with his meditation routine and can be used to help focus the mind and live in the present moment. Gavin is currently working on some street photography projects and is showing his work in several International Group exhibitions.