Sculptor, draughtsman and teacher, born in Iran, where early on she studied calligraphy and the theatre. Left Iran at 18 and studied at Hornsey College of Art, Middlesex Polytechnic, 1975–6; then Chelsea School of Art, 1976–9; becoming a junior fellow in fine art at Cardiff College of Art, 1979–80. Went on to be a visiting lecturer at several art colleges. Early work was described as “rough, grotesque, almost monstrous”, clay and straw over a wooden maquette which was “allowed to grow mould”. Later she immersed herself in Sufism, turned to painting and in her sculpture addressed the questions Who am I? Where do I come from? And where do I go? Based on precise drawings, Houshiary’s sculptures were constructed by Andy Everett, who had also trained as a sculptor.