Curator Malgorzata Wakuluk: Jan Skwara - Aghori
© Jan Skwara
Curatorial Statement
Jan Skwara’s project "Portrait of the Past. Aghori" is a tribute to vanishing traditions and communities that, though still existing, are slowly fading into history. In a world shaped by globalization, the photographer seeks out cultures that continue to preserve their ancient customs, rituals, and ways of life. His work is not only a visual archive but also an ethnographic testimony of these disappearing worlds.
Captured using the 19th-century wet plate collodion technique, Skwara’s photographs evoke the feeling of stepping back in time. The method’s unique depth and texture enhance the sense that the subjects belong to a different era—one more fitting to the birth of photography than the modern digital age.
The project is also a homage to early travel photographers such as John Thompson, Edward S. Curtis, and Samuel Bourne, who braved harsh conditions to document distant cultures. Skwara follows in their footsteps, carrying a mobile darkroom through challenging landscapes, from the mountains of Peru to the depths of the Indian jungle. His encounters with the Aghori, an ascetic sect devoted to Shiva, offer a rare and intimate glimpse into one of the world’s most enigmatic spiritual traditions.
Over two years, Skwara lived among the Aghori, accompanying their gurus, witnessing rituals, and participating in their way of life. His dedication mirrors the laborious photographic process he employs—one that demands patience, precision, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling.
Through this exhibition, we are invited to explore a world at the crossroads of myth and reality, past and present. "Portrait of the Past - Aghori" is not only an artistic endeavor but a powerful document of cultural endurance and transformation.
© Malgorzata Wakuluk
www.wakulukphotography.com