Profile - Homa Vafaie-Farley

Homa was born in Tehran , and left Iran for the UK as a teenager in order to study English. She has lived in various countries around the world.

She specialises in mainly thrown Stoneware pieces. She started pottery 15 years ago and was taught under the instruction of Oliver De Silva, Judy Firmin, Richard Phethean, Jack Doherty, Margaret and David Frith, Tetsui Okuda ( Japan ), and by various other international Potters such as Archie McCall, Bill Brown, Ken Eastman, Tony Franks, Jane Hamlyn and Greg Daly at the Glasgow School of Art and Design.

Homa has taken part in various exhibitions throughout the Emirates and Internationally. Following her solo exhibition in 2000, at the Aubgineh & Sofalineh Museum (The National Pottery & Glass Museum) in Tehran ; two of her pots were placed on permanent display (she is the only contemporary potter to have the honour of having a permanent exhibit there). Homa has also exhibited her work at the Saadabad Palace Gallery and Nivaran Palace Gallery in Tehran .

She has been teaching the Art of Pottery to numerous students at her workshop and gallery the Abu Dhabi Pottery. She has also taught at the Zayed University on special occasions and the Learning Centre for special need children in Abu Dhabi, Homa runs the pottery at the Dubai Ladies Club. Homa was recently appointed as a member of the Art Advisory Committee for the Dubai Community Theater and Art Centre.

Homa was a prize winner in 1990 Student's exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and was winner of the Judges Award (1st prize) at the 2003 Dubai International Art Centre Member's Exhibition.

Homa has been featured in many articles, publications and magazines both in the U.A.E. and internationally, including ‘Inside Out', ‘Friday Magazine', “Arts Review', Almas' The Iranian Ceramics Quarterly, and ‘Ceramics Ireland'.

Homa is also a keen Martial Artist and Instructor and holds a third Dan Black Belt in the Korean Martial Art of Hoi Jeon Moo Sool.

Please visit her website for more information

http://www.abudhabipottery.com