The premiere Diaspora In Bloom exhibition, Assyrians in the 20th Century and Beyond, opened in June 2019 at the Art Ark Gallery in downtown San Jose’s SoFA district. Independently curated by Akadina Yadegar and Nardin Sarkis, the group show was the first of its kind in creating a modern Assyrian art experience.
Diaspora In Bloom references an Assyrian idiom, “Spring does not occur with one flower alone.” In other words – a movement does not occur with just one person – it takes a field of flowers to bloom in order for Spring to arrive. The exhibition brought together the art of a nation that has been scattered around the globe, and has still found a way to blossom into a movement.
The exhibition offered a fresh approach to understanding the ancient Assyrian culture and its relevance to Assyrians today. Focusing on the Assyrian experience through the 20th century and beyond, over 30 works of art were assembled in a variety of media including – photography, pottery, painting, video, posters, poplar, and graphic design.
By bringing together so many varied works of art that both celebrate and challenge traditional Assyrian culture, the show explored the multifaceted contemporary Assyrian experience. The universal themes surrounding identity, diaspora, and cultural continuity emerge from the exhibition and pertain to viewers of any background, allowing them to better understand the Assyrian present.
Thank You to our Supporters
Assyrian American Association of San Jose
Assyrian American Association of Southern California
Shamiram Media
Danis + Mimi Yadegar
Ramon + Florence Sarkis
Ramin Yeganeh
Romina Yeganeh
Fred + Amita Es-haq
Jacklin Bejan
Paul + Vivien Gabriel
Ali Larijani
Sherbi Badal
Firas Jatou
Diana Oshkou
Nohra Adams
Nora Odisho Domit
Tania Daniel
Denise D’Rozario
Nicolette Yadegar
Anobel + Carolin Odisho
Rema Shamon
Gina Beitmirza
Nahrin Adams Powel
Arbela Ternian
Movina Lazar
Julian D’Rozario
Sandra Shlemon
Adessa Kiryakos
Abey Abu-Ali
Raman Lazary
Theodore Warda
Beneel Babaei
Alfred Younan
Eryana Shamuel
David Hanna
Eden Kiryakos
Ricky + Briteel Eshoo
Roma Parhad
Peter Ibrahim
Domarina Danipour
Sarha Abraham
Annie Elias
Sarah Bennett
Lilea Eshoo
Joe Mikhael
Behrooz Yadegar
Rachelle Kaldani
Sabrina Morad
Sabrina Sarkis
DH Conte
Ashley Betkouchar
Clodia Kifarkis
Judith Hermis
Ömer Alparslan
Alexandra Niesen
Remone Orahim
Winsor Kinkade
Melina Rapazzini
Lisabelle Panossian
Mary Nano
Rita S
Christina Badal
Bella DiLisio
Emaan Qureshi
Audrey Bigelow
John Jenzeh
Zalgai Aho
Nusardel Oshana
Tina Youkhana
Berta Kaisr
Christine Ebrahimi
Patrick David
Jessica Lahdow