Jan Skwara - Aghori
Artist Statement
The project "Portrait of the Past: Aghori" is the result of my long-standing fascination with spirituality, rituals, and cultural identity. Through photography, I aim to capture the atmosphere of mystery and mysticism surrounding the Aghori sect—ascetics who reject social conventions in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Their practices, often perceived as controversial, are an expression of radical boundary-crossing—both physical and metaphysical.
Photography allows me to step into a space where the present intertwines with the past. Each portrait is not only a form of documentation but also an interpretation—a record of moments, emotions, and stories hidden within the faces of my subjects. I want viewers of my project to come face to face with another world, to look beyond the surface, and to feel the presence of something primal, raw, and elusive.
Working on "Portrait of the Past" has also been a journey into my own self—a confrontation with my own beliefs, fears, and the limits of perception. My goal is not to shock but to reveal the depth of human spirituality, which manifests itself in the most unexpected forms. I hope these images inspire reflection on the nature of existence, the cycle of life and death, and the place we occupy in this vast puzzle of being.
I invite you to journey in the footsteps of the Aghori—where boundaries cease to exist, and the past still breathes in the eyes of those who bear its memory.
© Jan Skwara