The Exodus Towards Light 1999

Sabin Balasa's "The Exodus Towards Light" presents a dreamscape in cool blues, where figures emerge from darkness toward a luminous moon. Here, we observe a procession of souls, a motif resonating with ancient Egyptian beliefs in the soul’s journey to the afterlife. This ascent towards light is not new; the idea of spiritual transcendence has been depicted throughout history. Consider Dante's journey through realms of suffering toward paradise, where the soul is liberated from earthly constraints, or Plato’s allegory of the cave, in which enlightenment is achieved by turning away from shadows towards truth. The figures in Balasa’s composition exude a powerful psychological tension—a longing for what lies beyond. This yearning is a recurring theme in human experience. The pull between shadow and light can be found in the works of mystics and poets of many eras, illustrating how the subconscious quest for understanding and liberation endures across time. Balasa’s painting is a modern echo of this ancient quest, revealing the cyclical nature of spiritual longing.