A wooden cross covered in old keys—none of which open any lock. At first glance, a symbol of faith, but in truth, a narrative of hopes met with closed doors. The figure-like form at the base, kneeling in apparent worship or surrender, poses a silent question: Is salvation a real promise—or merely a pause on the way to forgetting?
Form and Structure
The piece features a wooden cross adorned with a series of antique metal keys.
At first glance, it presents as a sacred object—perhaps a symbol of faith or salvation.
But the placement of the keys, and the absence of any lock, slowly transforms the narrative into one of doubt and ambiguity.
The base of the sculpture, with its curved organic form, resembles a human figure kneeling in surrender—before something it no longer understands.
Theme and Philosophical Lens
The Promise of Deliverance is about doubt—about hopes that were promised, but never fulfilled.
The cross, a centuries-old symbol of sacrifice and redemption, here becomes a stage for useless keys.
It leaves the viewer with a quiet question: Is faith always salvific? Or does it sometimes only resemble salvation?
The work challenges faith not as an absolute truth, but as a fragile, human-made construct open to scrutiny.
Material and Technique
The use of aged wood, metal, and antique keys is intentional—invoking tradition, loss, and disuse.
Rafati combines sculptural and assemblage techniques, allowing the piece to exist both as a form and a message.
The symbolic elements are arranged with precision, giving the sculpture a ritualistic yet skeptical presence.
Emotional Impact
At first, the viewer may feel a sense of sanctity or peace—but deeper inspection reveals despair and futility.
The hanging keys, their uselessness, the bowed base—all hint at subtle deception: the deception of salvation, of belief, of hope.
Conclusion
The Promise of Deliverance speaks not merely of faith, but of exhaustion, silence, and unanswered prayers.
It leaves us with a single question: If the keys don’t open the door, does hope still exist?
