Protection, freedom, wisdom, strength, self determination, ferocity, steadfastly holding on to ones roots while blazing your unique path forward…
Ive always loved these massive, regal ancient Mesopotamian guardians - hybrid deities with the winged body of a bull and/or lion and a bearded human head adorned with a horned helm. These protectors are found in huge, sculpted pairs at the grand entryway of Assyrian palaces and more humbly under the doorways of folks’ homes, but first appeared in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and in a slightly different form as a Sumerian goddess, Lama.
Lamassu was said to contain all life - comprised of the entire zodiac or “parent stars” - their human head representing wisdom, their bull/lion body strength, and their wings freedom. You might notice they evolved to be rendered with five legs (mine does not) - so that when viewed from the side they appeared in motion, while from the front they stood still, stolid and strong - unwavering.
I wanted to depict this divine protector in femme form, drawing inspiration from YPJ and Peshmerga Kurdish female freedom fighters who champion gender equality and defending Kurdish territory and culture, one hand brandishing an ancient dagger from the region, her other hand raised high, exalting a riff on the 21 point Kurdish Sun, surrounded by daffodils - vibrant harbingers of warmer days ahead.
Bonus Material : I listened to “There are Rivers in the Sky” by @shafakelif while i drew - the Lamassu serving as a a touchstone across multiple timelines & tender stories of the Yazidi people, the precarious line between western fascination and covetousness/usurping, and what defines our identities as descendants of ancient, fractured cultures as we navigate queerness, grief, and self discovery. I could go on about more themes in that book but thats another post…
9×12” print of original artwork by Kita (that’s me!) Printed (on thick, beautifully textured watercolor paper) and packed (in a biodegradable cellulose sleeve) by me, in my very own tiny Chicago studio surrounded by Iranian folklore, cats, plants & art alchemy. Story card about the art included.
Protection, freedom, wisdom, strength, self determination, ferocity, steadfastly holding on to ones roots while blazing your unique path forward…
Ive always loved these massive, regal ancient Mesopotamian guardians - hybrid deities with the winged body of a bull and/or lion and a bearded human head adorned with a horned helm. These protectors are found in huge, sculpted pairs at the grand entryway of Assyrian palaces and more humbly under the doorways of folks’ homes, but first appeared in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and in a slightly different form as a Sumerian goddess, Lama.
Lamassu was said to contain all life - comprised of the entire zodiac or “parent stars” - their human head representing wisdom, their bull/lion body strength, and their wings freedom. You might notice they evolved to be rendered with five legs (mine does not) - so that when viewed from the side they appeared in motion, while from the front they stood still, stolid and strong - unwavering.
I wanted to depict this divine protector in femme form, drawing inspiration from YPJ and Peshmerga Kurdish female freedom fighters who champion gender equality and defending Kurdish territory and culture, one hand brandishing an ancient dagger from the region, her other hand raised high, exalting a riff on the 21 point Kurdish Sun, surrounded by daffodils - vibrant harbingers of warmer days ahead.
Bonus Material : I listened to “There are Rivers in the Sky” by @shafakelif while i drew - the Lamassu serving as a a touchstone across multiple timelines & tender stories of the Yazidi people, the precarious line between western fascination and covetousness/usurping, and what defines our identities as descendants of ancient, fractured cultures as we navigate queerness, grief, and self discovery. I could go on about more themes in that book but thats another post…
9×12” print of original artwork by Kita (that’s me!) Printed (on thick, beautifully textured watercolor paper) and packed (in a biodegradable cellulose sleeve) by me, in my very own tiny Chicago studio surrounded by Iranian folklore, cats, plants & art alchemy. Story card about the art included.
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