Florida Artists Group

Artists Bio:

I discovered my passion for art and working with clay while I was a graduate student at
U.C. Berkeley working on a master’s degree in material science and engineering. Art
was a way of relaxing and meditating while completing a rigorous degree and being a
mother. Later, as my family and I settled in Southern California, I started a career in
engineering, but I always managed to make time for my art. In 1985, I joined the Palos
Verdes Art Center, and I started taking formal ceramic classes and workshops. Since
then I have been using low fire, stoneware, and porcelain clay to make one-of-a-kind
vessels and sculptures. In 2007, I retired from my job and moved to Ormond Beach,
Florida with my husband, where I have been devoting myself full-time to art. I have been
making pieces that are rich with symbolism and metaphors and are oftentimes rooted in
my memories of Iran and ancient Persian art and folklore.

Artist Statement:

Imagination is the channel by which the subconscious communicates with the
conscious mind. I use my imagination to freely develop concepts, which I then turn
into objects. Those objects are rich with symbolism and metaphor. My sculptures can
be interpreted in the same way that we interpret dreams. Human and animal forms
interact and blend seamlessly: Hinting that we are made from the same clay.
My ultimate artistic goal is to intrigue viewers’ perception, create a dream world of their
own, and invite them to interpret my art from their point of view.

Exhibitions:

2018           Beaux Arts Group Exhibit, Daytona Museum of Arts and Sciences, Florida
                    Beaux Arts Members Show, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida
                    Art League of Daytona Beach Members Show, “Black and White”
2017          Beaux Arts Members Show, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida
                    Art League of Daytona Beach Members Show
2016          ERAU Beaux Arts Group Exhibit, Daytona Beach, Florida
                    Beaux Arts Members Show, Art League of Daytona Beach
                    Art League of Daytona Beach Members Show
                    Florida CraftsArt Juried Members Show, Saint Petersburg, Florida
                    Henao Gallery Invitational Two Artists Show, Orlando Florida
                    Art League of Daytona Beach, “Figuratively Speaking,” Daytona Beach, Florida

2015          “Salt Life” , Group Exhibit, Invitational , at the Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida
                    A Touch of Sky” with Beau Wild, at the Hub on Canal, New Smyrna Beach, Florida
2014          “Between Dreams and Reality”, three person exhibition at the Ormond
                    Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach , Florida
                    “Under the Tall Sky”, two person exhibit at the cultural Center at Pont Vedra, Florida
2013           Dreamers Dream”, three person exhibition at the Butterfield Garrage Gallery, St. Augustine,
                    Human Follies , three person exhibition at the 233 Gallery, St. Augustine, Florida
                    Betweem Known and Unknown”, with Beau wild, at the Hub on Canal, New Smyrna Beach,
2012            “Kaleidoscope”, three person exhibition at the Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida

Education:

University of California at Berkeley: Masters degree in Materials Science and
Engineering
Palos Verdes Art Center: Ceramic Classes in hand building and wheel throwing
Workshops: Various figurative artists

Memberships:

Beaux Arts of Central Florida
Art League of Daytona Beach
Florida CraftsArts
The Hub on Canal

Awards:
2018          Best in Show, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida, “Black and White” a Judged theme show
                    First Place, Art League of Daytona Beach, Members show
                    First place, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida, “Figuratively Speaking”, a Judged theme show
                    Achievement, Art League of Daytona Beach, Members Show
2017           Achievement, Beaux Arts of Volusia, Florida, Annual membership show
2016           First place, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida, “Figuratively Speaking”, a Judged theme show
                    Best in Show, Beaux Arts of Volusia, Members show
2015          Third place, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida, “Figuratively Speaking”, a Judged theme show
                    Distinction, Art League of Daytona Beach, Florida, “Mix it up” a Judged theme show
                    Achievement, Art League of Daytona Beach Florida, Annual Members Exhibition
                    Second place, Beaux Arts of Volusia, Florida, Annual membership show
                    Best in Show, Orlando Museum of Art, Florida, First Thursday, “It’s a Woman’s World”
2014          Second place, Art League of Daytona Beach Florida, Annual Members show case
                   Second place, Art League of Daytona Beach, FL, “Figuratively Speaking,” a Judged theme show
2013          Best in Show, Art League of Daytona Beach FL, “Figuratively Speaking”, a Judged theme show
2012           Third place, Beaux Arts of Volusia, Florida, Annual competition
                    Third place, Art League of Daytona Beach Florida, Annual Members show case
                    Second place, Art League of Daytona Beach FL, “Figuratively Speaking”, a Judged theme show