Philosophy of Water

“The supreme goodness is like water.
It benefits all things without contention.
In dwelling, it stays grounded.
In being, it flows to depths.
In expression, it is honest.
In confrontation, it stays gentle.
In governance, it does not control.
In action, it aligns to timing.
It is content with its nature, and therefore cannot be faulted.”
Tao Te Ching - Verse 8

In this series, refractions are created by natural light shining through water within various glass objects, representing water’s adaptable and effortless flow. As I gently moved and tilted the objects, consciously composing each frame and refraction, I felt as though I was painting with water and light. Throughout my process, the movement of the refractions constantly changed from soft, calm forms to dynamic, intricate rippling caustics, mirroring the duality of life.

Taoism has no supreme deity; it is a vision of universal balance, a cosmic energy shaped by forces such as Yin and Yang. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu uses water as a metaphor evoking a way of being, inviting us to embody flow. Water can inspire us to accept the impermanence of life and embrace adaptability in the inevitable currents which rise and fall.