The late photographer Ruth Orkin helped shape her
approach to photography while attending the School of
Visual Arts. Lisa continued her studies at the Germain
School of Photography and graduated with awards in
Photojournalism. Lisa’s exploration for an understanding
of the world through photography has taken her to
interesting places. Her ability to connect with people in
an exceptional way is evident through her work. During the
nineties, Lisa’s paparazzi days were spent photographing
events and popular celebrities for the Village Voice, New
York Post and various news stock agencies. During this
time she worked as a photo editor for the Black American
News, and Class Magazine.
Lisa
DuBois
Lisa taught herself Photoshop and began to produce surreal
and conceptual photography while raising her daughter.
She spends time documenting subcultures in New Orleans
and New York and is a contributing photographer in the
creative department at Getty Images. Lisa has exhibited in
Europe, Asia and the United States. Her work on New Orleans
subculture is sold to collectors through the Sutton Gallery in
Louisiana. The main attraction for this work comes from her
distinctive technique that involves printing her photographs
on canvas and embellishing them with paint. Photography
has never translated into work for Lisa, every time she picks
up the camera it is a stimulating new experience.
Holy Water
Water rituals have existed in all cultures since the beginning of time.
These photographs portray people from cultures that place a spiritual
significance on water and its sublime power. It is a visual comparison that
links traditions shared by Eastern and western cultures. I became interested
in the power of water and its effect on people while photographing water
ceremonies. The rituals begin before dawn and peak at sunrise. The photos
are taken in low light.
There are prayers and offerings of flowers in the water which summon the
ancestors and spiritual deities. There are some who make direct contact
with the spirits during the water ceremony that elevates them into a trance.
While photographing, I experience a strong transference of their euphoria,
leaving me feeling elated and physically tired as if I had shared their
spiritual experience.
My developing curiosity for understanding the nature of water and its
role in rituals led me to the work of the late Dr. Masaru Omoto; a Japanese
author, researcher, photographer. Based on numerous tests, Dr. Omoto
concluded that the chemical structure of water changes due to the positive
or negative thought patterns of those interacting with the water. This led
me to question whether his theory works in reverse.
Does contact with water during ceremonies have a powerful effect on
the thoughts and emotional state of a person? Through examining my
photographs of individuals involved in water rituals I realized that their
facial expressions proved that water plays a significant role in elevating
one into a trance. Many cultures further share the belief that water can be
transformed to facilitate healing. During certain ceremonial rituals water is
changed into holy water; whereby it is believed to have healing properties.
A strong belief in the ability of holy water to heal can have a favorable
impact on the individual seeking a cure.
There are so many unanswered questions concerning the meaning of life
and death. Water ceremonies that connect people with God, ancestors
and deities are a way of celebrating the magnificence of the mystery in
life. I hope my photography raises and answers thoughtful questions
and expresses a unique viewpoint on universal spiritual traditions.
Lisa DuBois . Jumping for Joy, Holy Water Series . 2015
Young Siddi Boy jumps unusually high is engaged in an intense water purification ceremony.
The Siddi is an group of East Indian African descendants of the Bantu people from Southeast Africa living in Hyderabad
and Gujarat. Siddi’s were brought to India as slaves, indentured servants and in some cases merchants. Gujarat, India
dub oi sp ho t o a r t . c o m
N
8 u N e u v e a v L
a u L z u 8 z
Nueva Luz 9