Waiting for Redemption: A Portrait of Faith by Bas Jaburg

About "Waiting for Redemption: A Portrait of Faith"

by Bas Jaburg

About the artwork

During a recent trip to Iran, I stumbled upon an intriguing scene that was both fascinating and enigmatic. In a remote area, far off the beaten track, I found a group of people, members of an apparent sect, gathered in silent anticipation. The group was divided into two distinct clusters, each with its own character and dynamics, but united in their purpose.

At the centre of this human formation was a figure who was unmistakably the leader. He was both charismatic and enigmatic, and his presence seemed to both unite and control the group. His face showed a complex mix of determination and serenity, a face that bore responsibility for the souls who looked up to him.

The two groups, though separated, shared a common look of expectation and hope. Their eyes were fixed on the horizon, waiting for something or someone that only they seemed to understand. Their dress was modest, but their demeanour was one of immense dignity and pride.

It was unknown to me why the group had been separated. It seemed a deliberate choice, a symbolic division that made sense only to those involved. This separation added another layer of mystery to the whole scene, a mystery that concerns me to this day.

This photograph is not just a snapshot of an unusual scene, but a portrait of faith, devotion and the human need for meaning and connection. It captures a moment when the earthly meets the spiritual, an interface between the known and the unknown.