Perseverance in Time

Perseverance in Time (2021) by Slovenian artist Damjan Komel draws on ancient symbols, cultural memory, and organic form to explore the human journey through time. The sculpture is part of Komel’s Seeds of Light series, which considers seeds as vessels—time capsules that carry dreams, knowledge, and transformation across generations.

The form of the maple seed, a recurring motif in Komel’s work, becomes a metaphor for intention and movement—a symbol of hope and continuity, blown by the wind to take root where it may bloom anew. Layered into this concept is the artist’s fascination with ancient spiral symbols he encountered at sites such as the pyramids in Mexico and Angkor Wat in Cambodia—forms that whisper across time.

In Perseverance in Time, these spirals are woven with patterns found in traditional Saudi ornamentation, shaping the silhouette of a figure striding forward. This individual becomes a portrait of resilience—someone who, over time, seeks opportunity, growth, and understanding.

Installed at King Abdulaziz Historical Center (KAHC), the sculpture offers a contemporary message grounded in timeless values: perseverance, self-discovery, and the pursuit of a more enlightened future.