Valentinos Charalambous, born in 1929 in Famagusta, Cyprus, was raised in a family of traditional potters. He later pursued his passion for pottery by studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, where he worked as a technical assistant after obtaining his diploma. In 1950-51, Charalambous spent a year at the LEACH Pottery, further enriching his artistic knowledge and skills.
Valentinos returned to Cyprus in 1952 to work with his father until 1957 when he was invited by the Ministry of Education of Iraq to establish the Department of Ceramics at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad. In 1960, he organized a similar department at Tahrir Female College in Baghdad, and in 1967, he joined the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Baghdad as the head of the ceramics department until his retirement in 1983.
Throughout his career, Valentinos has maintained close ties with Iraq and has been working with the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus since 1988, focusing on the development of Cyprus-Arab cultural relations. His work, although not directly influenced by Bernard LEACH, is often reflective of his appreciation for the renowned potter, as he believes his life has been enriched by knowing him.
Valentinos has been honored by the Iraqi government in 1987 for his valuable contributions to the country’s culture as both a teacher and artist. His dedication to pottery and his efforts to promote cultural exchange between Cyprus and Arab nations have solidified his reputation as an important figure in the world of ceramics.
