Elizabeth Waterman Connects Jellyfish And Dancers In New Photography Project, Propulsion

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, fine art photographer Elizabeth Waterman connects the wild motion of jellyfish and human dancers in her upcoming 2027 monograph, Propulsion.

Fine art photographer Elizabeth Waterman launched a groundbreaking series titled Propulsion, which pairs analog images of jellyfish with photographs of human dancers to reveal striking visual parallels. This unexpected body of work began during a casual aquarium visit, proving that creative breakthroughs often stem from simple moments of observation.

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The Accidental Discovery

For more than a decade, Waterman focused on photographing performers and dancers. Fascinated by movement and gesture, the Los Angeles-based artist spent years exploring how bodies navigate light and space.

Everything shifted during a trip to an aquarium. Waterman photographed a jellyfish, and during the editing process, placed that marine image next to a photograph of a dancer. The visual resemblance was astonishing, showing the exact same energy across completely different worlds.

A Fresh Look at Perception

Propulsion centers on how viewers perceive form, rhythm, and suspension rather than focusing strictly on marine life or dance. Jellyfish arrive free of cultural assumptions, whereas human bodies carry heavy societal baggage.

Pairing the two subjects forces audiences to reconsider preconceived notions of beauty, identity, and performance. Viewers begin evaluating movement, light, and transformation instead of falling back on stereotypes.

Embracing Analog Film

The entire series relies exclusively on analog 35mm film. This choice highlights Waterman’s long-standing dedication to traditional photography methods.

The inherent unpredictability of film mirrors the wild, uncontrollable motion found in both marine creatures and stage performers. That technical constraint adds authenticity to the visual narrative.

Publishing and Global Interest

Skira will publish Propulsion as a monograph in Spring 2027. The project already attracts strong attention from museums, aquariums, conservation groups, and fine art communities.

Potential narrative angles surrounding the release include explorations of human movement, marine life parallels, and challenges to visibility standards. The project continues a notable career built on transcendent portraits and striking visual storytelling.

Background of the Artist

Born in Taos, New Mexico in 1985, Waterman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from the University of Southern California. Her extensive portfolio includes commercial work, editorial assignments, and acclaimed books exploring artists and performers.

Previous milestones include MONEYGAME, a sold-out 2021 volume featuring over 75 images from the strip club industry across cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Future projects feature a forthcoming book on Thailand entertainers and Candyland, a title focused on adult entertainers released by Unicorn Publishing Group UK.

Find more from Elizabeth Waterman now:

www.elizabethwaterman.com

Instagram: @elizabeth.waterman

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UXFkOu