{"id":2235675,"date":"2026-11-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2235675"},"modified":"2026-11-03T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T21:00:00","slug":"assyria-is-far-from-ancient-in-esther-elias-characterizations-of-contemporary-diasporic-deities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2235675","title":{"rendered":"Assyria is Far from Ancient in Esther Elia\u2019s Characterizations of Contemporary \u2018Diasporic Deities\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2c90304e wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1493\" height=\"1328\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-3.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A three-dimensional sculpture coated in ceramic tile representing an abstracted kneeling figure with large blue wings and bright red boots.\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cMalikta Protective Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, mortar, grout, cement board, and plywood, 8 x 8 x 3 feet. All images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3d243ebe wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Assyria is Far from Ancient in Esther Elia\u2019s Characterizations of Contemporary \u2018Diasporic Deities\u2019<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-11-03T16:25:26-06:00\">November 3, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/kmothes\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Kate Mothes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"colossal-share-buttons\">\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--facebook\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F11%2Festher-elia-assyrian-culture-tile-sculptures-paintings%2F&amp;title=Assyria%20is%20Far%20from%20Ancient%20in%20Esther%20Elia%26%238217%3Bs%20Characterizations%20of%20Contemporary%20%26%238216%3BDiasporic%20Deities%26%238217%3B\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Share<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--pinterest\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F11%2Festher-elia-assyrian-culture-tile-sculptures-paintings%2F&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F11%2Felia-3-960x854.jpeg&amp;description=Assyria%20is%20Far%20from%20Ancient%20in%20Esther%20Elia%26%238217%3Bs%20Characterizations%20of%20Contemporary%20%26%238216%3BDiasporic%20Deities%26%238217%3B\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Share to Pinterest\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Pin<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--email\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email this article\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Email<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--copy\">\n\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Copy article link\" class=\"colossal-share-button__link colossal-share-button__copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/11\/esther-elia-assyrian-culture-tile-sculptures-paintings\/\" data-label-default=\"Copy\" data-label-copied=\"Copied!\" data-aria-default=\"Copy article link\" data-aria-copied=\"Link copied to clipboard\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"colossal-share-button__label\" aria-live=\"polite\">Copy<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"colossal-share-button colossal-share-button--bookmark\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"479051\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across ancient Mesopotamia, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lamassu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lamassu figures<\/a> assumed the form of a winged goddess. In the ancient Assyrian Empire, giant bulls or lions with human heads and wings represented the deities, which artisans often carved at a monumental scale to protect cities and palaces. For Albuquerque-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.estherestheresther.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Esther Elia<\/a>, who is of Assyrian and Irish descent, lamassu are anything but a relic of the distant past. Through sculpture, paintings, and textiles, the artist explores contemporary <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Assyrians\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Assyrian experience<\/a> through pattern, fashion, and autobiography.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her solo exhibition, <em>Bazaar Ashuraya<\/em> at <a href=\"https:\/\/hechoamano.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hecho a Mano<\/a>, centers around a new collection of acrylic paintings, plus tile mosaics and functional objects. Elia delves into the theme of home, where lamps, garments, and paintings evocative of rugs or tapestries portray vibrant figures, shapes, and objects associated with daily life. Compositions such as \u201cSharrat Wearing Adidas\u201d and \u201cEsther and Zahra Wearing Farm Rio\u201d playfully nod to contemporary fashion and folk designs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-11.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cSharrat Wearing Adidas\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cSharrat Wearing Adidas\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cSharrat Wearing Adidas\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2558\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-11.jpg\" alt=\"An acrylic painting inspired by a Persian rug featuring a patterned, geometric frame and a central figure surrounded by colorful shapes.\" class=\"wp-image-479062\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cSharrat Wearing Adidas\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe home is where Assyria lives and breathes,\u201d Elia says in a statement. She adds:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The home is where our language is spoken. Even if we speak English or Arabic or Farsi or French or Swedish outside of the home, the home is where Assyrian food is made, where Assyrian customs thrive, and where culture is maintained as well as created\u2014pushed forward. As we mix with diaspora, our clothes, furnishings, and habits reflect the mixing with these new places.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elia\u2019s sculptures have reached nearly life-size through the use of Mexican tiles on cement board and plywood, with wheels affixed to the bases so they can move around. She coined these her \u201cdiasporic deities\u201d because they incorporate materials readily sourced in the Southwest and are designed to be adaptable to different spaces.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Bazaar Ashuraya<\/em> runs from November 6 to 29 in Santa Fe, and the artist was recently announced as a 2027 resident of the John Michael Kohler Art Center and Kohler Co.\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jmkac.org\/engage\/programs\/arts-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arts\/Industry<\/a> program. See more on Elia\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/malikta.esther\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-6.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cLamassu Lamp\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood, 14.5 x 22 x 16 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cLamassu Lamp\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood, 14.5 x 22 x 16 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cLamassu Lamp\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood, 14.5 x 22 x 16 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-6.jpeg\" alt=\"A lamp sculpture coated in ceramic tile with a geometric red shade and a triangular base with a blue-faced figure on it.\" class=\"wp-image-479057\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cLamassu Lamp\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood, 14.5 x 22 x 16 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-5.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1176\" height=\"942\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-5.jpeg\" alt=\"A three-dimensional sculpture coated in ceramic tile representing an abstracted standing figure with black hair, an orange body, and multiple arms and legs.\" class=\"wp-image-479056\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-10.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cEsther and Zahra Wearing Farm Rio\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cEsther and Zahra Wearing Farm Rio\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cEsther and Zahra Wearing Farm Rio\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2518\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-10.jpg\" alt=\"An acrylic painting inspired by a Persian rug featuring a patterned, geometric frame and two central figures surrounded by colorful shapes.\" class=\"wp-image-479061\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cEsther and Zahra Wearing Farm Rio\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-4.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cMiztanta Protective Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, cement board, and plywood, 8 x 8 x 3 feet\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cMiztanta Protective Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, cement board, and plywood, 8 x 8 x 3 feet\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cMiztanta Protective Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, cement board, and plywood, 8 x 8 x 3 feet\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1481\" height=\"1401\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-4.jpeg\" alt=\"A three-dimensional sculpture coated in ceramic tile representing an abstracted standing figure with long black hair, a red body, and four legs.\" class=\"wp-image-479055\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cMiztanta Protective Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, cement board, and plywood, 8 x 8 x 3 feet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-9.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cChai Goddess Wearing Mara Hoffman\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cChai Goddess Wearing Mara Hoffman\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cChai Goddess Wearing Mara Hoffman\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-9.jpg\" alt=\"An acrylic painting inspired by a Persian rug featuring a patterned, geometric frame and a central figure surrounded by colorful shapes.\" class=\"wp-image-479060\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cChai Goddess Wearing Mara Hoffman\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-2.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cPalashta\/Warrior Bodybuilder Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cPalashta\/Warrior Bodybuilder Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cPalashta\/Warrior Bodybuilder Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1310\" height=\"985\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-2.jpeg\" alt=\"A geometric tile composition on a white wall featuring a blocky, monster-like creature.\" class=\"wp-image-479053\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cPalashta\/Warrior Bodybuilder Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tile, grout, epoxy, and plywood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cBalloon Fiesta (1\/22)\u201d (2026), seven-color serigraph, 24 x 18 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cBalloon Fiesta (1\/22)\u201d (2026), seven-color serigraph, 24 x 18 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cBalloon Fiesta (1\/22)\u201d (2026), seven-color serigraph, 24 x 18 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-8.jpg\" alt=\"An acrylic painting inspired by a Persian rug featuring a patterned, geometric frame and a center filled with colorful objects and shapes.\" class=\"wp-image-479059\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cBalloon Fiesta (1\/22)\u201d (2026), seven-color serigraph, 24 x 18 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-1.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cAryeeta, Bakhta Karobta, Palashta, ou Khwaweeta m\u2019Pookhilta Mural\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, plywood, and cement board, 11 x 6 feet\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cAryeeta, Bakhta Karobta, Palashta, ou Khwaweeta m\u2019Pookhilta Mural\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, plywood, and cement board, 11 x 6 feet\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cAryeeta, Bakhta Karobta, Palashta, ou Khwaweeta m\u2019Pookhilta Mural\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, plywood, and cement board, 11 x 6 feet\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1433\" height=\"1025\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-1.jpeg\" alt=\"A horizontal, geometric tile composition on a pink wall featuring four blocky, monster-like creatures.\" class=\"wp-image-479052\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cAryeeta, Bakhta Karobta, Palashta, ou Khwaweeta m\u2019Pookhilta Mural\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, epoxy, plywood, and cement board, 11 x 6 feet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-479051\" title=\"\u201cAkadina Wearing Vintage Mini\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cAkadina Wearing Vintage Mini\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cAkadina Wearing Vintage Mini\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2565\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/elia-7.jpg\" alt=\"An acrylic painting inspired by a Persian rug featuring a patterned, geometric frame and a central figure surrounded by geometric flowers.\" class=\"wp-image-479058\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cAkadina Wearing Vintage Mini\u201d (2026), acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 inches. Image courtesy of Hecho a Mano, Santa Fe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hide advertising<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite articles<\/li>\n<li>Get 15% off in the <a href=\"https:\/\/colossal.shop\/\">Colossal Shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Receive members-only newsletter<\/li>\n<li>Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-options is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2c90304e wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join us today!<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113464\">$7\/month<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113463\">$75\/year<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-chalk-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\">Explore membership options<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"20\" height=\"21\" class=\"wp-image-327872\" style=\"width: 20px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/arrow-left.svg\" alt><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/11\/ivan-mclellan-eight-seconds-legacy-in-motion\/\" rel=\"prev\">Next article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cMalikta Protective Deity\u201d (2023), Mexican tiles, mortar, grout, cement board, and plywood, 8 x 8 x 3 feet. All images courtesy of the artist, shared with permission Assyria is Far from Ancient in Esther Elia\u2019s Characterizations of Contemporary \u2018Diasporic Deities\u2019 November 3, 2026 Art Kate Mothes Share Pin Email Copy Bookmark Across ancient Mesopotamia, lamassu [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-2235675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2235675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2235675"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2235675\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2235675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2235675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2235675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}