ARTS & entertainment
ARTS & entertainment honoring history Culture dominates Reni Stephan’s work By Weam Namou There is an extraordinary art studio in the suburbs of Sterling Heights that belongs to Reni Stephan Youel, an upcoming artist who hopes to inspire the world with his creative art pieces, sculptures and graphic designs. The studio is inside the family’s garage, where during the winter, Youel, 29, uses a furnace to keep warm as he works, sometimes for a consecutive 10 hours. In the summer, he opens the garage door and enjoys the fresh air and natural light as well as the people who literally stop their cars and come down to ask him questions. “People in the neighborhood know who I am and what I do,” said Youel, who goes by Reni Stephan professionally. “It’s not the attention that I like, but the opportunity to introduce the subject of my work, which mostly represents Mesopotamian history to those who do not know it.” Youel was born in Baghdad and came to the United States in 1993 at age 11. From a young age he loved to draw and in 2005 attended the College for Creative Studies. Coming from a family of artists and vocalists – his father Sami is a well-known singer and professional guitarist – he had a number of influences growing up, the first being his paternal uncle. “My parents taught us not to forget our history and culture,” he said, “so I try to reflect it into my artwork. I feel it makes a difference.” His dream is to one day inspire the world with his work and to help his culture in every way possible. “Our people are well educated, but they need to learn more about their own history,” he said. “They’ve struggled for so long that they haven’t had time to observe and appreciate art. They couldn’t represent and place focus on their history because Saddam wouldn’t allow it.” He remembers Iraq always being in a war, his father in the army and his mother worrying about whether her husband or her brother would come back alive. Clockwise from above: Reni Stephan in his studio; Selected works: “Christ” and “Chess.” “Now that we are free, I try to show our people about us,” he said. Youel does not serve his community solely through art, but by getting involved in various organizations like the Assyrian Aid Society, and by donating art pieces to the Church. He’s following in his parents’ footsteps, who are active in charity work. Given the number of canvases and projects inside the studio, one would think that Youel spends all his time creating art. But he has a fulltime job in a family business that buys and renovates houses. He also has other hobbies. “I arrange and mix music for my sister, Rena, who sings in our native language,” he said. “We have a music studio in the basement where I work with Rena and her husband, a keyboardist, to produce her CDs.” It only takes one visit to Youel’s studio, website or the businesses that have commissioned his work to understand how deeply he appreciates and honors his heritage. His work can be seen around the community. Inside Bellagio, formerly Bella Banquet Hall, there are two large statues, one depicting King Ashurbanipal of Assyria and the other of Gilgamesh, the fifth king of Uruk, holding a lion he captured. Inside Babylon Club in Warren is an eight-foot-wide statue of the Babylon Lion, and one of the Lion Hunt by Ashurbanipal. Youel is currently doing a series of paintings of modern Assyrian and Chaldean singers, placing their images besides those of great historic Iraqi figures. Unlike many other artists, Youel’s challenge is not about making a living from his work. He is able to afford the high costs of material associated with painting and sculpting and regardless of whether or not he sells a piece, is determined to continue his work. His challenge is about challenging himself. “I like to learn and experiment more,” he said. “No matter how good I perform, I want to improve myself.” He has worked with hydro-stone and patina and even crafted woodburning art — which he had to stop because the resulting smoke he’d inhaled for two years was affecting his health. Throughout the process, he has had tremendous support from his parents. His father, who is Assyrian, is in constant awe of his son’s artistic abilities and every time he sees an artwork completed, he says, “Don’t sell this one, Reni. Keep it for the house.” “My mother [who is Chaldean] also loves what I do, but she’s around it so much that she now sees it as normal,” said Youel. Youel cannot wait to visit Iraq one day, to see relatives and, of course, Iraq’s famous ancient cities, its landmarks and its national museum. Here in Michigan he takes his sketchbook and visits museums at least three times a month. He recommends that everyone gets more involved in the arts. “Art makes the whole world,” he said. “Art is in cars, clothes, everything. Art is very educational and if people start learning about it, they will really get addicted to it.” See more at www.ReniYouel.com. photos by Jerry Zolynsky 38 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2011
COUNSELOR is in The other side of not knowing “Each day holds within itself the promise of resurrection.” It’s been said that most of us spend our time living in the past or in the future. Very few of us really possess the skills and tools to live in the present moment with all its rich opportunities and constant unfolding. The phrase that became the headline for this month’s article came to mind during a meditation. As I was praying specifically for married couples, I thought about a past experience. I lacked the certitude of knowing the outcome of a particular issue I was struggling with in my life. The day before, I was reading through some old journal entries and discovered one from 2007. In it I had detailed the misery I was feeling about a particularly challenging time in my life. At the end of the entry, I wrote, “Oh Christ, help me unite my suffering with yours on the cross and give me courage, strength and prudence in speech to get through this awful experience.” When I wrote the entry, I had no idea what the outcome would be nor the fate of the people involved. I didn’t understand why God, being a good and faithful God, would allow me or my loved ones to suffer this way. As human beings, we have a desire to know but so much of life is unknown. All we know is what we experience through our senses. But our senses are limited to grasp “the depth, the height and the breath” Iklas J. Bashi, LPC, NCC special to the chaldean news of God’s grace, which He longs to bestow on us. God’s grace allows us a window into the Divine Mystery — beyond our own capacity and beyond our limited understanding. Hence God’s instruction to us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Letting go requires radical faith. A complete surrender of our lives to God is a very difficult thing for many of us. In surrendering, we not only let go to give up our control but we open up to allow ourselves to receive that which God wishes to give us … to replace, restore and recreate that which we lost. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). As St. Augustine wrote centuries ago, “You created us for yourself O God and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” What Augustine meant is that we belong to God. We are created to know, love and serve Him. Everything moves from this basic axis. When we know this much and when we live from this basic truth, we begin to experience life in a completely different way. I receive much comfort from knowing and accepting that I am not in control. It’s a scary thing when I try to control the details of my life and leave God out of the equation. When I look back to those dark times in 2007, I remember some of the advice of friends and family. I also vividly remember the times I spent in quiet prayer and meditation on the Word and in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. My memory informs me that in times of heartache and uncertainty, the best place to be is the silence of my heart and mind with Jesus. In these uncertain times, we may be struggling with a difficult diagnosis, strained relationships, anxiety or depression, grief and loss, or a failed business. In all our sufferings, it is a mystery what will happen next. We cannot see past our pain around these life challenges. We cannot see what is on the other side of this “not knowing.” Our Catholic faith informs us though that when we unite our suffering with that of Jesus on the cross, He has the power to redeem it. In redemptive suffering, we share in His passion and we allow Him to resurrect us and the situation. On a human level, staying on the path of consciousness and reality is much harder than trying to escape suffering. However, there is something on the other side of not knowing that will surprise, comfort and challenge you. God will fill you with something unexpected and you will be better for it. Whatever your current situation, offer up your sufferings. Offer every Eucharist and Confession for the person who may be inflicting the pain on you. Or you can offer it up for a special intention. This approach is beyond the understanding of our current culture, a culture seeped kneedeep in various ways to self-medicate — in pharmaceuticals, relationships, fast food, alcohol and marijuana — daily offerings to anesthetize our pain, our bodies, our spirits and our souls. When we choose to annihilate our pain, we cut off our lifeline. We say goodbye to an opportunity for true healing. Jesus calls us in a more profound way: “Pick up your cross and follow me.” In this invitation, He does not say we will have a pain-free experience but He does promise us that we will not be without His presence, His grace, His infinite mercy and His love. On the other side of not knowing is the miracle that may await us if we have the courage to say “yes” to uncertainty and truly surrender the details of our lives. This spring, breathe a breath of fresh air by allowing Jesus in a new way into your life and trust Him to make you a new creation. The other side of not knowing can very well be a painfully beautiful place. Iklas J. Bashi, LPC, NCC, is a writer, counselor, life coach and speaker. She offers group workshops, seminars and presentations on a wide variety of topics that combine her training and experience in psychology as well as her Catholic spirituality. She is available to speak on mental health and wellbeing issues. Find her at www.ahigherwayllc. com. Email questions and comments to ahigherwayllc@gmail.com. For a list of Eucharistic Adoration Chapels in Michigan, visit therealpresence.org/states/mich2.htm. RON GARMO Licensed and Insured Contractor 248.884.1704 runningright@gmail.com “We’re working to keep your systems Running Right!” Now offeriNg Duct cleaNiNg ServiceS > HEATING > VENTILATION > AIR CONDITIONING > REFRIGERATION > COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL > NEW CONSTRUCTION > RADIANT FLOOR HEATING StartiNg at 0 per SyStem NO HASSLE WARRANTIES www.runningrighthvacr.info WE ACCEPT VISA & MASTERCARD MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE: FREE ONE HOUR SESSION WITH BIKINI PRO BIANCA BINNO www.facebook.com/BiancaBinno BIANCA BINNO Personal Training IFPA Certified Personal Trainer WBFF Professional Bikini Competitor TOP SHAPE FITNESS 33265 Mound Road • Sterling Heights, MI 48310 586-268-4280 www.tsfstudio.com PRIVATE 2300-SQ. FT. 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