2020 International Art Competition, 3rd Place

"Tree of life only befits the one who gave us life and made us complete. This piece reflects how we were incomplete until God made the ultimate sacrifice. The number six is shown in the number of hands and trees, and the Assyrian number. It references incompletion, and that only in him do we all become a seven, complete."

Born in Mosul, Iraq, Maher Minyanish is an Assyrian artist working in the Chicago area. He resettled in the United States in 2009. Though he left his homeland behind due to war, he carried his love and passion for his heritage with him. Minyanish feels obligated to create pieces that represent Assyrian history and heritage—a common theme in much of his work. A self-taught artist, Minyanish discovered his passion for art as a child and draws inspiration from the changing world around him. He is inspired by human experiences and stories, and is known for his portrait work.