Prayer Bowls
Based on ancient incantation bowls originating in Mesopotamia, these pieces echo Assyrian ritual while speaking to contemporary relationships with language, religion, and diaspora. These prayers are collected from the Assyrian community through the use of social media, and Elia reflects the prayers of her people in the languages they’ve been forced to learn in exile.
For more information about the ongoing project, visit www.prayerbowlarchive.com
I pray for freedom | h.5 x 11.5 diameter in. | harvested clay in Socorro NM, rocky mountain bee weed | 2021
I pray for freedom | h.5 x 11.5 diameter in. | harvested clay in Socorro NM, rocky mountain bee weed | 2021
The story of Psalm 91 | h.8 x 19.5 diameter in. | sumi ink on fired clay | 2021
The story of Psalm 91 | h.8 x 19.5 diameter in. | sumi ink on fired clay | 2021
Arist with "Psalm 91" bowl
Artist creating "I pray for laughter" bowl
I pray for freedom | h.5 x 11.5 diameter in. | harvested clay in Socorro NM, rocky mountain bee weed | 2021
I pray for freedom | h.5 x 11.5 diameter in. | harvested clay in Socorro NM, rocky mountain bee weed | 2021
The story of Psalm 91 | h.8 x 19.5 diameter in. | sumi ink on fired clay | 2021
The story of Psalm 91 | h.8 x 19.5 diameter in. | sumi ink on fired clay | 2021
Arist with "Psalm 91" bowl
Artist creating "I pray for laughter" bowl
Please reach out to Esther Elia in the contact page if you would like to submit a prayer for this series.