For many Jews, the most iconic maker of golems, the anthropomorphic clay creatures of Jewish folklore, is Judah Loew ben Bezalel. Also known as the 16th century Rabbi of Prague, the story goes that Rabbi Loew created a golem to protect his community from violent antisemitism, which subsequently went on a murderous rampage.

Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington, New Zealand), Rosa is a queer Polynesian Jewish artist who simply can’t stop making golems. For them, the golems don’t hold the negative connotation of the Golem of Prague story, but are rather friends who help them understand their complex and shifting identity.

From tiny to huge, made from clay, unfiltered earth, sand, cardboard or whatever else, some with windows or staircases and archways, others glazed or painted, the golems that Rosa has made are almost too many to count. Even so, each are beautiful and soulful in their own ways.