Daryoush Ababaf is a gifted Persian artist who was born in 1964 in Tehran, Iran. His German mother, a descendant of a long line of artists and art patrons, fostered Daryoush’s talent as a child. He then received technical training under the supervision of the most reputable art masters, in the workshops held by the Iranian Ministry of Culture. There he became familiar with other Iranian traditional arts such as Xylography, Signet, Toreutics and Miniature.

Today, Daryoush is highly recognized for his major contributions to the art of “Inlay-on-wood” mainly by eliminating “drawings” from, and adding 3D effect (embossing) to his works. Art enthusiasts from all around the world have repeatedly admired this excellent distinction. A CNN report back in 1996 described his work as “unrivaled”, and the Iranian Minister of Culture honored him as an “Iranian Master of Art”. Daryoush humbly describes his work as “... an effort to reveal the secrets of the wood's life”.

Daryoush Ababaf - sawing out a wood clip

Daryoush has participated in numerous domestic and international exhibitions. Following is a list of the most internationally recognized exhibitions in which his works have been well received and admired:

- "ITB exhibition", Berlin, Germany (1992)
- "Florence Handicraft exhibition", Florence, Italy (1994)
- "Iran Art Exhibition", Doha, Qatar (1997)
- "Munich Handicraft Exhibition", Munich, Germany (1998)
- "Design in Wood", San Diego, CA, USA (2000-2005)
- "Texas Woodworking Show" , Dallas, TX (March 2005)