Nimrud

Nimrud – Ancaster 2013

Mesopotamian civilizations, what a wonderful part of history that too often is left aside in our education system. Sumerians, Assirians, Babylonians, Persians are the foundation of our civilization and we dismiss them as minor protagonists of History. Every time I step in the British Museum I remain mesmerised at the beauty of the Assirian collection. The lamassu, half-man and half-bull, are colossal statues of such a beauty that my heart pounds. And all around them the magnificent bass relieves carved in enormous slabs. The slabs were part of the Nimrud palace and describe the mythology and the every day life of this civilization with incredible detail. These are dated 865 BCE, almost 3000 years ago. 3000 years ago an artist was commissioned by his king to draw these beatiful relieves. And I thought I could homage his craftsman skills by reproducing some of his work. And so this bass relief came to life: it’s an eagle-headed protective spirit and I took some liberties in changing few details here and there. While I was carving it I felt a deep connection with the unknown artist that carved the original 3000 years before me. I had its photos, internet searches so I could document myself further and 3000 years of human kind experience before me. He had only another civilization before his (the sumerians) and basic tools. And nevertheless his job is much better than mine. I called it Nimrud after the city where it was discovered, since it appears these eagle-headed spirits don’t have a name we know of (or yet).

Bibliography: Assyrian Sculpture, Julian Reade, The British Museum Press