Portrait of the Past: Aghori
The project tells the story of the Indian Aghori sect — the most mysterious and terrifying ascetics of India.They are said to exist somewhere between life and death. Often living near cremation grounds, they use human corpses in their rituals. They perform puja while sitting on dead bodies and extract “human oil” by burning corpses over fire. Due to their practice of necrophagy (eating human flesh), they are widely referred to as cannibals.
The Aghori are orthodox followers of the god Shiva. In his likeness, they cover their bodies with ash, often sourced from cremation pyres. Like all ascetics — the Sadhus — the Aghori strive to break free from the cycle of reincarnation (Samsara) and attain liberation — Moksha. To achieve this, they must rid themselves of human emotions such as anger, greed, obsession, fear, hatred, and physical desire. Living among the dead helps them conquer fear, while renouncing clothing helps them overcome shame.
Despite their practices being considered "impure" within Hinduism, the Aghori are at the top of the Sadhu hierarchy. It is also believed that they possess knowledge of black magic, can remove curses, foresee the future, and even kill with the power of their mantras.
The use of an archaic photographic method aims to emphasize that the subject of the project belongs to a world of the past. It fits more naturally into the era when these photographic techniques were invented and celebrated, rather than into modern times. When looking at the images, one could easily believe they were taken two centuries ago — further highlighting that the photographed people and their lives are a kind of "relic of the past."
Nonetheless, they bleed into the present day, merging with the fabric of cities, moving through them like echoes of history.
Jan Skwara
Photographer and traveler. Owner of the travel agency Pakuj Plecak, which organizes cultural and photographic journeys to the farthest corners of the world. In his travels, he focuses on people, and his projects go beyond photography — often becoming ethnographic records.
Winner of numerous international and national photography competitions (including the National Geographic Grand Photo Contest, Leica Street Photo, Travel Photographer of the Year, Polish Sports Photography Contest, and a three-time winner of the “Frames from the World” competition). He has been recognized in the fields of travel, portrait, reportage, and sports photography.
His photos have been published in The Sun, The Mirror, Daily Mail, The Telegraph, National Geographic, Poznaj Świat, Digital Camera UK, and NPM Mountain Tourism Magazine. He has exhibited his work at both solo and group exhibitions, including: “Bangladesh Through a Reporter's Eye 2023,” "Black & White" Athens 2017, “Photocrowd & Alamy Exhibition London 2015,” “Journeys Through Polish Eyes,” “Poland – Contexts,” and “Indian Mysteries.”
Opening:
19.09.2025 | 19:30
Opening hours:
Tuesday–Thurdsay | 10:00–18:00
Friday | 12:00–20:00
Saturday–Sunday | 12:00–17:00
Gallery of Modern Art Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum in Bydgoszcz