With “Aqua Obscura,” Ben Thouard continues his photographic exploration of water and light. Created over the course of four years, this series explores the textures, reflections, and movements of the ocean, blurring our sense of perspective through the use of different angles, lenses, and techniques. Slow shutter speeds allow him to transform the movement of water into a graphic element, to the point of “drawing” and “painting” with his camera. A sensory body of work dominated by a rich palette of blues, it offers a different perspective on the marine environment.

Based in Tahiti since 2008, Ben Thouard has established himself as one of the leading figures in surf photography and underwater photography, particularly through his work on Teahupo’o. Winner of the “Red Bull Illume Overall Winner” award in 2019 and the “Ocean Photographer of the Year” award in 2022, he has also collaborated with the press and major institutions, notably National Geographic—for which he published “Beauté Mer”—and Agence France-Presse, serving as an underwater photographer during the Olympic surfing events at Teahupo’o in 2024.

The opening reception for the “Aqua Obscura” exhibition will take place at Bellevue on Friday, October 23, starting at 6 p.m. The program includes a meet-and-greet and talk with Ben Thouard followed by a Q&A, a screening of a film about his work, a book signing, and then live music and a DJ set until 11 p.m. It’s an evening to explore the exhibition, chat with the photographer, and wrap up the event with music.