Chaharshanbe Suri precludes the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, celebrated on the last Wednesday before the spring equinox. It is usually celebrated by performing a variety of rituals, one of which includes jumping over bonfires as an act of purification to bring warmth, health, and energy into the new year. I participated in the festival this year, and jumping over the fire felt akin to being reborn. In Christian tradition, “baptism by fire” is a reference to a trial of faith which endures suffering and purifies the faithful so that they are transformed and not consumed. The composition of the painting makes it unclear whether the figure is jumping over the fire, or falling into it; the line between immolation and baptism or purification is unclear. Historically, self-immolation is tolerated by some elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, and has been practiced for many centuries for reasons including political protest, devotion, and renouncement. Self-immolations are often public and political statements that can be viewed as altruistic suicide for a collective cause, and those who perform the act as martyrs.

Oil on panel, 30” x 24”, 2022.