2017 International Art Competition, 3rd Place

A portrait of an old Assyrian woman created using charcoal. The piece was drawn from a photograph of an elderly woman taken by the artist. It captures the pain and resilience that defines the Assyrian soul.

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.