Anything but mundane, Gavin Libotte’s photography captures suburbia through an extraordinary lens. His latest collection, Wanderland, features enormous dogs and seagulls looming over unsuspecting joggers and beachgoers, challenging viewers to re-imagine everyday life. For the 56-year-old Sydney-based photographer, this is how he perceives the world.
“We’re very used to the world, and I think it becomes mundane because we’re looking at things in pretty much the same way all the time,” Libotte explained. “We lose that ability we had as a child to have that sense of wonder. Everything is made of energy that’s in a dance together and everything’s vibrating and interrelating and having a relationship with each other.”
Wanderland: A Fresh Perspective
The images in Libotte’s Wanderland collection are currently on display at the Head On Photo Festival in Bondi. Captured over five years at Manly Beach Promenade, the collection offers a new perspective on the world. “Wanderland is about seeing the world from a new fresh perspective, and the way that I discovered that was bringing the camera down to street level,” Libotte said.
By lowering his camera, Libotte found that the field of view transformed dramatically. “My lens is quite wide: it’s 28 millimetres. I can fit quite a lot in, so then basically things that are usually small, like a seagull, can look huge,” he noted. Experimenting with a handheld flash, he aimed to “light that stage” and emulate the cinematic mise en scène, creating beautiful shadows.
“That photo is a bit of a miracle to me, the fact that everything worked out,” Libotte remarked about his favorite photograph featuring towering seagulls. “The men sitting on the front of the edge of the beach behind are all perfectly poised and everything’s really balanced.”
An Age of Passion
Libotte’s journey into photography began as a teenager after moving from the UK to Australia in 1981. At 16, he pursued work experience in a photography studio, where he learned the intricacies of taking, processing, and printing photos. “I immediately loved it,” he recalled. His passion led him to create a darkroom at home, blocking out windows and acquiring chemicals to print in his bathroom.
Though he took a hiatus to focus on a career as a jazz musician, photography eventually drew him back in his 50s. “There are animals, there are dogs, there are birds, there’s the weather, there’s the lighting, and everything has to come together in a beautiful dance that is in perfect balance and harmony,” Libotte said.
His unique approach sometimes surprises onlookers, as he often lies on the ground with his camera. “When you first do it, you feel the judgement of others a little bit because you know you’d probably do the same if you saw someone,” he admitted. “But then I see it as an opportunity to let go of that and to be free in the environment, in the world that we’re in, and to not be concerned about what’s going on.”
Mindful Expression and Creative Courage
For Libotte, photography is akin to yoga, offering a meditative and reflective experience. “Spending quiet time with yourself is a very meditative and reflective time … and I do find that time is very important for the mental health,” he said. “I’m in the present moment and I’m really giving things my 100 per cent attention and my full honour.”
Libotte encourages others to embrace experimental expression, despite the daunting nature of trying something new. “All you need then is you need the courage to follow through with the idea … and commit to it,” he advised. “Just go with what you feel inside is the right thing to do.”
The Wanderland collection not only invites viewers to see the world through a different lens but also inspires a renewed sense of wonder in the mundane. As Libotte continues to explore and capture the vibrancy of life, his work serves as a reminder of the beauty that lies in everyday moments.
