Biography

"Art is an inseparable part of my life, and most of my waking hours are spent either teaching art or working in my studio, which takes up the better part of the first floor of our home. In one large room is my equipment for sculpture (welding apparatus, power tools, etc.) and jewelry. In the other room are my ceramic kick wheel, electric wheel, and ceramic necessities. Outside my home I have erected a small building to house my large ceramic kiln."

-Farhad Moezzi, from 1964 autobiography in pursuit of fellowship

I first met the art of my father in my home. My cereal bowl, cookie jar,and cup were of clay, created by his hand. The necklaces that my Mom wore were of metal, fashioned by my Dad. I would venture downstairs to his studio, and see the sparks fly from the welding torch, my Dad's eyes bespectacled by his welding glasses. I felt the heat, calmness, and weight of the kiln, and had mock tea parties on the roof of the kiln building when it was not in use. The kick wheel was our merry-go-round when the fair was not in town. Around the house would be a candle holder, vase, or sculpture, all made by Dad. My sisters and I would draw on a table he created for us, specifically so we could sit on the ground by the picture window of our living room. We would go to galleries, show openings and witness "Art in Action" sessions with Dad. Art was all around, and as my father claimed, was an inseparable part of our lives.

Farhad Moezzi was born in Persia on 22 June, 1920. For some time, his birth date was marked at 22 February, the day his ship docked in New York, upon his arrival to the United States in 1948.

He had thus far lived a charmed life. Of the Qajar dynasty, his family lived comfortably in exile in Damghan, about 600 km east of Tehran when Farhad was young. I heard tales of riding his motorcycle in his house, expeditions in the countryside, teasing scorpions, replacing the oil in the street lamps with some more "organic" amber liquid, and the like. My sister related me this story that our uncle told her, about an episode they shared as young boys:

"Firouz and Dad had this plan; they made a noose, laid it on the doorstep (I think) and covered it with dirt and dung and whatever. They decided they were going to get whoever it was that walked by. They peered through a keyhole and decided to do it, even though it was an Imam: and bang, he fell! They hid on the roof for a whole day, because everyone wanted to catch whoever did that to the Imam. Maman was very angry and thought it was really bad, but Papa liked it, since he had little reverence for the politics/religion. It is more fun when Firouz tells it."

--Mithra Moezzi from 1996 email to Kambia

With the means to elite, but the sensibilities to be among, Farhad was curious and explorative.

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