Ancient Roots, Modern Vision

Artist Azhr Matti showcases several pieces, including a ram-style harp and a meticulously carved wooden chair.

Chaldean art takes center stage in Southfield

By Jenna Abroo

Art is often seen as a reflection of a thriving society—one full of life, growth and expression. It profoundly influences communities by offering a platform for individuals to share their visions, values and self-expression with the world. Art reflects the times, often carries political meaning, and serves as a mirror of collective experience.

This is especially true for the Chaldean community. Our ancestors in ancient Assyria were among the earliest recorded artists in human history. Across our homeland, evidence of this legacy endures in cave paintings, poetry and pottery dating back thousands of years. Our people were known for the sophistication and detail of their art and architecture—from the bronze Balawat Gates and the colossal winged Lamassu statues to hundreds of stone carvings that tell the stories of our history scattered throughout the region.

Fast forward to the present day. The Chaldean diaspora has spread across the globe, making meaningful contributions to society along the way—and art is no exception. Like our ancestors, today’s Chaldean artists continue to express culture, identity and creativity through their work.

I recently attended a local art exhibition that reflected this legacy. The City of Southfield is hosting an exhibit titled Perspectives, featuring Chaldean American artists from across Metro Detroit. The show highlighted a variety of media, including painting, photography, woodworking, charcoal, metalwork and more.

The exhibit will be on display at Southfield City Hall from May 22 through July 31, 2025, with individual pieces available for purchase. It features the work of eight local Chaldean American artists: Taif Alheety, Habib Hannona, Sipya Kado, Azhr Matti, Wilson Sarkis, Reni Stephan, Sam Selou Wazi and Emad Tammo.

The collection fills the city hall lobby with vibrant, meaningful pieces—many reflecting the richness of Assyrian culture. While the exhibition includes a wide range of mixed media, each piece uniquely honors the deeply rooted values and proud heritage of the Chaldean community. Photographs capture scenes such as the streets of Tel Keppe, the mountains of Alqosh, and traditional cultural clothing worn by Chaldeans in the homeland.

To be surrounded by art that so genuinely reflects our identity was an empowering experience. The opening event featured traditional Iraqi-style food and music, along with personal remarks from the artists about their inspiration, purpose and motivation to share our culture through their work. Many attendees wore traditional Assyrian clothing, including Nela Koki, who said she “enjoys art that represents our culture for everyone to see”—just like the garments she proudly wore.

While attending the exhibition opening, I had the opportunity to speak with several of the featured artists about their work. Each piece on display was striking in its own way—beautiful, imaginative and deeply personal. Every artwork told a unique story, reflecting the passion and purpose behind the artist’s vision.

Artist Azhr Matti showcased several pieces, including a ram-style harp and a meticulously carved wooden chair. The chair stood out for its intricate detail and rich imagery, blending elements from Mesopotamian history with Matti’s own artistic imagination. When asked about the piece, Matti shared that he worked on the chair for eight months straight, devoting nearly eight hours a day to the project. He jokingly referred to it as a “full-time job,” explaining that he followed a strict routine—sketching in the mornings and carving in the afternoons.

Matti said his goal was to “showcase ancient Assyrian art and history.” The chair features ornate floral motifs, warrior-like figures reminiscent of powerful Mesopotamian kings, metal embellishments and even a matching carved footrest. He credits much of his skill to his brother, also an artist, who currently lives in Paris.

“Our people were born from art,” Matti said warmly. “Creating art inspired by our culture is relaxing—and a form of therapy for me.”

For many of the artists, creativity seems to run in the family. Artist Habib Hannona showcased painted portraits titled My Mother and Coffee Man. He shared that his siblings also had artistic interests, and he remembers showing his own talent from a young age—starting as early as primary school.

Though Hannona spent much of his professional life as a civil engineer, he never let go of his creative side. “I always made time for art,” he said, adding that he plans to continue doing so for as long as he can. In addition to painting, Hannona is a poet, author, linguist, historian and former United Nations employee—a man of many talents.

“I’ve felt a passion to be an artist for as long as I can remember,” he said. “Since I was a small child, I was born with it in my heart, and it will always be there.”

It was evident throughout the exhibit that Chaldean and Assyrian heritage served as a powerful source of inspiration for many of the artists. Taif Alheety was no exception. Her contributions included a charcoal portrait titled Master Study and a painted portrait titled The Silent Dove.

Alheety shared that Assyrian culture is the driving force behind her work. “It means a lot to represent our culture in this way,” she said. “Our people were among the first to create art and left it behind for us. This was their message from the beginning, even up to today. We were born as artists, musicians, poets and scholars. To create art is to express our culture.”

Delores Flagg, chairperson of the Southfield Public Arts Commission and one of the exhibit’s curators, opened the event with heartfelt remarks, congratulating the artists on their contributions to the community. Over the years, many Chaldeans have settled in the Southfield area, making it a vibrant part of their diaspora story.

“This exhibit is an opportunity for our Chaldean community members to showcase their art,” Flagg said. “This is a collaborative community effort that the artists helped bring to fruition. Art is a vehicle for community and truth. It is the ultimate communicator—it helps us blend cultures together, from clothing to food to music.”

Attending this exhibit and experiencing these powerful works of art was nothing short of incredible. To be surrounded by pieces featuring imagery such as the Ishtar Gate, the Assyrian flag, abstract interpretations, and portraits of members of our own community was a moving experience—one that words can hardly capture.

Our culture has endured for thousands of years, passed down through generations, rooted in a deep sense of pride and identity. At our core, we are a people who cherish and preserve our heritage. Anyone who visits this exhibit is in for a meaningful and memorable experience—it’s a hidden gem that deserves a spot on everyone’s summer bucket list.