JULY 2025

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTAncient Roots, Modern VisionChaldean art takes center stage in SouthfieldBY JENNA ABROOArtist Azhr Matti showcases several pieces, including a ram-style harp and ameticulously carved wooden chair.Art is often seen as a reflectionof a thriving society—one fullof life, growth and expression.It profoundly influences communitiesby offering a platform for individualsto share their visions, values and selfexpressionwith the world. Art reflectsthe times, often carries politicalmeaning, and serves as a mirror ofcollective experience.This is especially true for theChaldean community. Our ancestors inancient Assyria were among the earliestrecorded artists in human history.Across our homeland, evidence of thislegacy endures in cave paintings, poetryand pottery dating back thousands ofyears. Our people were known for thesophistication and detail of their art andarchitecture—from the bronze BalawatGates and the colossal winged Lamassustatues to hundreds of stone carvingsthat tell the stories of our historyscattered throughout the region.Fast forward to the present day.The Chaldean diaspora has spreadacross the globe, making meaningfulcontributions to society along theway—and art is no exception. Like ourancestors, today’s Chaldean artistscontinue to express culture, identityand creativity through their work.I recently attended a local artexhibition that reflected this legacy.The City of Southfield is hosting anexhibit titled Perspectives, featuringChaldean American artists from acrossMetro Detroit. The show highlighted avariety of media, including painting,photography, woodworking, charcoal,metalwork and more.The exhibit will be on display atSouthfield City Hall from May 22 throughJuly 31, 2025, with individual piecesavailable for purchase. It features thework of eight local Chaldean Americanartists: Taif Alheety, Habib Hannona,Sipya Kado, Azhr Matti, Wilson Sarkis,Reni Stephan, Sam Selou Wazi andEmad Tammo.The collection fills the city hall lobbywith vibrant, meaningful pieces—manyreflecting the richness of Assyrian culture.While the exhibition includes awide range of mixed media, each pieceuniquely honors the deeply rootedvalues and proud heritage of the Chaldeancommunity. Photographs capturescenes such as the streets of Tel Keppe,the mountains of Alqosh, and traditionalcultural clothing worn by Chaldeansin the homeland.To be surrounded by art that sogenuinely reflects our identity was anempowering experience. The openingevent featured traditional Iraqi-stylefood and music, along with personalremarks from the artists about theirinspiration, purpose and motivationto share our culture through theirwork. Many attendees wore traditionalAssyrian clothing, including Nela Koki,who said she “enjoys art that representsour culture for everyone to see”—justlike the garments she proudly wore.While attending the exhibitionopening, I had the opportunity tospeak with several of the featuredartists about their work. Each pieceon display was striking in its ownway—beautiful, imaginative anddeeply personal. Every artwork tolda unique story, reflecting the passionand purpose behind the artist’s vision.Artist Azhr Matti showcased severalpieces, including a ram-style harpand a meticulously carved woodenchair. The chair stood out for its intricatedetail and rich imagery, blendingelements from Mesopotamian historywith Matti’s own artistic imagination.When asked about the piece, Mattishared that he worked on the chair foreight months straight, devoting nearlyeight hours a day to the project. He jokinglyreferred to it as a “full-time job,”explaining that he followed a strict routine—sketchingin the mornings andcarving in the afternoons.Matti said his goal was to “showcaseancient Assyrian art and history.” Thechair features ornate floral motifs,warrior-like figures reminiscent ofpowerful Mesopotamian kings, metalembellishments and even a matchingcarved footrest. He credits much of hisskill to his brother, also an artist, whocurrently lives in Paris.“Our people were born from art,”Matti said warmly. “Creating art inspiredby our culture is relaxing—and a form oftherapy for me.”For many of the artists, creativityseems to run in the family. Artist HabibHannona showcased painted portraitstitled My Mother and Coffee Man. Heshared that his siblings also had artisticinterests, and he remembers showinghis own talent from a young age—starting as early as primary school.Though Hannona spent much of hisprofessional life as a civil engineer, henever let go of his creative side. “I alwaysmade time for art,” he said, adding thathe plans to continue doing so for aslong as he can. In addition to painting,Hannona is a poet, author, linguist,historian and former United Nationsemployee—a man of many talents.“I’ve felt a passion to be an artist for aslong as I can remember,” he said. “Since Iwas a small child, I was born with it in myheart, and it will always be there.”It was evident throughout theexhibit that Chaldean and Assyrianheritage served as a powerful sourceof inspiration for many of the artists.Taif Alheety was no exception. Hercontributions included a charcoalportrait titled Master Study and apainted portrait titled The Silent Dove.Alheety shared that Assyrianculture is the driving force behind herwork. “It means a lot to represent ourculture in this way,” she said. “Ourpeople were among the first to createart and left it behind for us. This wastheir message from the beginning,even up to today. We were born asartists, musicians, poets and scholars.To create art is to express our culture.”Delores Flagg, chairperson of theSouthfield Public Arts Commission andone of the exhibit’s curators, openedthe event with heartfelt remarks,congratulating the artists on theircontributions to the community. Overthe years, many Chaldeans have settledin the Southfield area, making it avibrant part of their diaspora story.“This exhibit is an opportunity forour Chaldean community members toshowcase their art,” Flagg said. “Thisis a collaborative community effort thatthe artists helped bring to fruition. Artis a vehicle for community and truth.It is the ultimate communicator—ithelps us blend cultures together, fromclothing to food to music.”Attending this exhibit andexperiencing these powerful works ofart was nothing short of incredible.To be surrounded by pieces featuringimagery such as the Ishtar Gate, theAssyrian flag, abstract interpretations,and portraits of members of our owncommunity was a moving experience—one that words can hardly capture.Our culture has endured forthousands of years, passed downthrough generations, rooted in a deepsense of pride and identity. At ourcore, we are a people who cherish andpreserve our heritage. Anyone who visitsthis exhibit is in for a meaningful andmemorable experience—it’s a hiddengem that deserves a spot on everyone’ssummer bucket list.42 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2025

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During the AIDS crisis,gay men were initially blamed as“spreaders” of the disease, leading toyears of underfunded research anddelayed public health responses.Scapegoating thrives when fearoutweighs reason and politicalgain takes precedence over truth.Fortunately, not all citizens fall forthese tactics. Those with highereducation and critical thinking skillsare less likely to accept simplisticexplanations that blame complexproblems on single groups. A PewResearch Center study found thatAmericans with college degreeswere more skeptical of antiimmigrantrhetoric and more likelyto understand the structural causesof economic inequality. A societythat promotes analytical thinkingand civic literacy is better preparedto resist political manipulation anddemand evidence-based policies.In conclusion, scapegoating is atempting but harmful political tool. Itoversimplifies complex issues, fuelsdivision, and delays meaningfulreform. The result is a misinformedpublic and a distracted government.Americans must be wary of rhetoricthat assigns blame and insteaddemand leaders who tackle rootcauses with clarity and courage. Byresisting scapegoating, we can beginto address the real challenges beforeus.JULY 2025 CHALDEAN NEWS 43