ABU DHABI POTTERY
WORKSHOP & GALLERY
OPENING HOURS:

SATURDAY - THURSDAY
9.00am - 1.00pm
4.30pm - 8.30pm

Closed Fridays &
private sector
holidays

PROFILE OF HOMA VAFAIE-FARLEY

STUDIES | EXHIBITIONS | TEACHING | HOBBIES

Homa was born in Tehran, and left Iran for the UK as a teenager in order to study English, and has since lived in various countries around the world. Her influences have come from ancient Persian ceramics and training with international potters in Japan and the UK. Passionate about working with clay, she specialises in mainly thrown Stoneware pieces.

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'.
See 'Articles' page to read full articles.

STUDYING POTTERY & CERAMIC DESIGN

Homa started pottery 18 years ago and has been taught under the instruction of Oliver De Silva, Judy Firmin, Richard Phethean, Jack Doherty, Margaret and David Frith and Tetsui Okuda in Japan.
Currently undertaking a six-year, BA Honours Ceramic Design Course at Glasgow School of Art in the UK, where the tutors have included: Archie McCall, Bill Brown, Jane Hamlyn, John McGuire, Tony Franks, Greg Daly, Marion Brandis, Ken Eastman etc.,

2006 :: Glasgow School of Art Diploma in Ceramics Design.

2002 :: Sensei Tetsui Okuda: Japanese throwing, glazing, and firing workshop (Kasama, Japan).

1999 :: David and Margaret Frith: Throwing and Glazing workshop (Wales, UK)

1998 :: Jack Doherty (Chairman of Craft Potters Association of Great Britain) Pottery Workshop for Advanced Soda Glazing and Throwing (Ross-on-Wye, UK).

1998:: Richard Phethean (Author of the book “Throwing” and lecturer at the Harrow School of Art and Design and Richmond University) Workshop for Advanced Throwing (London, UK).

1997 :: Jack Doherty Workshop for throwing Porcelain and Coloured Clays (Ross-on-Wye, UK).

1997:: Glazing and Firing Seminar/Workshop at Potclays UK (Stoke-on-Trent, UK)

1997:: Kiln Firing and Kiln Repair at Potclays UK (Stoke-on-Trent, UK)

1996 :: Richard Phethean Workshop for Throwing (London, UK)

1993, 1994, 1995 :: Judy Firmin, Carrington Pottery Workshop (Nottingham, UK)

1992 :: South Nottingham College Pottery and Ceramics Course (Nottingham, UK)

1991 :: Judy Firmin at Carrington Pottery Workshop (Nottingham, UK)

1990 :: Mrs Shahina Ajmal and Mr Oliver De Silva: Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Pottery Workshop (Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.)

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EXHIBITIONS

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). Her work has also been exhibited at the Saadabad Palace Gallery and Nivaran Palace Gallery in Tehran.
Homa was a prize winner in the 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.

2008 :: Dubai International Art Centre, 53rd Members' Exhibition - Professional Achievement Award 1st Prize.

2007 :: "Nine-On-Line", Atrium Gallery, Glasgow School of Art and Design. (See exhibition website)

2007 :: "Mosaic" Invited artist, Sharjah Higher College of Technology annual exhibition.

2006 :: "Clay Works", Exhibition at the Dubai Community Theater and Arts Centre.

2006 :: “Damavand” Solo Exhibition held at the Dubai Ladies Club.

2004 :: Dubai Ladies’ Club: Art and Talent Centre’s Teacher’s Exhibition, Dubai.

2004 :: Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Major Exhibition of Teachers and Students work for Abu Dhabi Pottery

2003 :: Dubai International Art Centre 48th Members’ Exhibition (Winner of Judge’s Award).

2002 :: Exhibition at the Saadabat Palace Gallery, Tehran.

2001 :: Exhibition for the day of women at the Aubgineh Museum, Tehran.

2000 :: Solo Exhibition Aubgineh Museum (Pottery & Glass Museum of Tehran)

1999 :: Exhibited at the Majlis Gallery.

1997, 1996, 1995, & 1994 :: Art and Craft exhibitions held at the Abu Dhabi Hilton Hotel.

1995 :: Art Exhibition at the Dubai International Art Centre.

1990 :: Prize winner at Student’s Art Exhibition held at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.

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TEACHING POTTERY

Homa has been teaching the Art of Pottery to numerous students at her workshop and gallery, since 1993. She has also taught at the Zayed University on special occasions, at the Learning Centre for special need children in Abu Dhabi, and Homa also runs the pottery at the Dubai Ladies Club.
Abu Dhabi Pottery holds lectures / school visits for various schools and organizations throughout the United Arab Emirates on the art and history of Pottery, glazing, firing, and the origins of clay.

2004 :: Teaching Classes and in charge of the pottery workshop at the Dubai Ladies Club

2002 :: Teaching pottery workshops at Zayed University

2001 - Present :: Teaching Children from the Special Care Centre (Voluntary).

2000 :: Private pottery tutor to children of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

1999 :: Invited Pottery tutor, at special events held at the Zayed University, Abu Dhabi.

1996/7 :: Teaching pottery to children at the Learning Centre for Handicapped Children (Voluntary).

1993 - Present :: Senior Pottery Instructor for the Abu Dhabi Pottery Est.

 

HOBBIES / CLUB MEMBERSHIP

In 2006, Homa was appointed as a member of the Arts Advisory Committee for the Dubai Community Theater and Art Centre.

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 (the Revolving Art)

Associate Member of the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain.

Associate Member of Ceramics Ireland.

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