The UK-based Iranian artist Omid Salehi launched a solo photography and video exhibition at Silk Road Gallery in Tehran on Dec. 22.
Titled ‘Here, I Have Two Names’, the show focuses on the complex and emotive theme of migration and its life-altering power, Honaronline reported.
Born in Shiraz, Salehi, 45, studied graphic design at Shahid Rajaei University in Tehran and later studied photography at the University of the Arts London.
He got interested in photography at the age of 17 and has since won numerous awards, such as first prize at Iranian Documentary Photography Award in 2007, first prize of Kaveh Golestan’s Photo Journalism Award in 2005 and Golden Butterfly for best photo in advertising materials section of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in 2017.
In his works, he tries to create visual records of the society he lives in.
“I do not do this by taking only one picture, but by taking a series of images that have a narrative and tell the totality of a story,” he said.
According to his personal website, Omidsalehi.com, the social-documentary photographer believes his role is like that of a storyteller who tries to make his audience see things that might otherwise escape their attention.
So far, Salehi has published two books on social issues, namely ‘Eye’ (2010) and ‘A Photographer’s Journey Through Iran’ among other titles. The former was published in Iran by Mahriz publication while the latter was printed by England-based publication Beyond Art in 2011.
In ‘A Photographer’s Journey Through Iran’, he captures the unique atmosphere and rhythm of life in contemporary Iran through his affectionate portraits.
“Insightful essays by leading commentators accompany the images, making the book an invaluable publication for readers fascinated by this part of the world,” Amazon’s website wrote about the book.
Salehi’s photos on the issue of migration will remain on show until January 15, 2018, at the gallery located at No. 210, Between Vesal and Qods streets on Keshavarz Boulevard.
