Instead of showing a pristine, pure image, "Prayer for Purity" shows what it's like to seek out purity. Naked and vulnerable in the rain, our figure is desperate, self-hating; he feels dirty, unworthy, and prayerful. In Judaism, one of the mysteries of the tabernacle is that when the priest enters the tabernacle and moves toward the center, while he approaches God, God is reaching outward to approach him. Here in this photo, as our figure reaches out with his arms and his fire, the light in the heavens represents the Divine reaching back to him. Water and fire are two of the most ancient means of purification, both spiritual and physical. Here they are represented in a man-made torch and "heavens-made" rain. The equal-armed cross within a circle represents purity in some traditions, and a subtle one shines out of the torch fire.
Photography: David Parks
Photo assistant: Alex Pagano
Model: Anonymous
Photo direction and editing: Jason L Morrow
The background is taken from a photo I took at the Chrysalis Moon Pagan festival. In the future the background may be swapped out for a stand of fir trees, a Celtic symbol of purity.
Prints, canvases, coffee cups, and more printed with Jason's art.
Leave a comment!