Hadi Salehi is a master of analog photography. His images capture diverse portraits that are both powerful and gentle, carrying a haunting quality that lingers in the psyche. Through his process-intensive practice, Salehi seeks to foster a sense of collective awareness, positioning himself as a cultural messenger who reveals quiet truths through imagery.
With a career spanning more than four decades, Salehi has closely documented cultural innovators such as Keith Haring, while also developing an expansive body of work across analog, digital, film, and mixed media. He is a graduate of ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and currently lives and works in Los Angeles.
Hadi Salehi CV
B. 1951, Shahsavar, Iran. Immigrated to the US in 1978.
EDUCATION
1991 B.A. Photography, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
1977 B.A. Library Science, Minor in Education, Tehran University
WORK EXPERIENCE
Professional photographer for Adidas, Billabong, Crystal, Dragon Fly, Free Ride, Gotcha, Los Angeles Times Magazine, MCA, MCD, Nike, PG&E, Sony, Split, Tool, Vans
MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Permanent Collection
Edition 1 of Haparoot, M.2020.98
EXHIBITIONS
2025 Portraiture Now: Iranian Contemporary, Group Exhibition, ADVOCARTSY
2024 Vintage Modern, Group Exhibition, ADVOCARTSY
2023 Resilience, Group Exhibition, ADVOCARTSY
2021 Once Upon a Time, Group Exhibition, ADVOCARTSY
2020 Transcendients: Heroes at Borders, Japanese American National Museum
2019 LAYERS: The Art of Hadi Salehi’s Photography, ADVOCARTSY
2019 Summer Show, ADVOCARTSY
2018 Iranian Contemporary San Francisco, ADVOCARTSY
2018 Art + Design Collaboration, ADVOCARTSY
2017 Art Is the Place, Berlin
2016 Neue Galerie, Berlin
2015 Iranian Contemporary Los Angeles, ADVOCARTSY
2015 Kunsthaus Lempertz, Berlin
2015 Community Foundation Auction, Berlin
2015 Align Gallery, Los Angeles
2014 South Bay Contemporary
2012 Hangar Gallery, Santa Monica
2012 The Loft / MOPLA, Los Angeles
2012 Santa Monica Studios
2011 Zask Gallery, Palos Verdes
2009 Shirin Art Gallery, Tehran
2008 Los Angeles Maritime Museum
2007 Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
2006 Ministry of Defense, Los Angeles
2005 Rose Art Gallery, Orange County
2004 Laguna Art Show, Laguna Beach
2003 The Surf Gallery, Laguna Beach
2002 Orange Coast Art Center, Orange County
1999 The Basement, Los Angeles
