Yasaman Mollasalehi is a Manchester-based Iranian painter originally from Tehran. Her practice explores memory, identity, migration, and cultural hybridity through layered oil paintings that combine abstract forms, architectural motifs, and symbolic figures. Drawing inspiration from Persian miniatures, ancient myths, and contemporary visual language, she reimagines inherited traditions within a contemporary painterly practice.
After studying Fine Art at the Tehran University of Art, Yasaman relocated to the United Kingdom to complete an MA in Painting at Manchester School of Art. Since establishing her practice in Manchester, her work has been exhibited across the United Kingdom, Iran, Poland, and Cyprus.
In 2025, she was selected as one of Saatchi Art’s Top 25 Emerging Artists and received the Wallace Seymour Award. Alongside her studio practice, she is a permanent member of 1838 Collective, contributing to exhibitions, public projects, and collaborative initiatives.
Education
2024 MA Painting, Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
2021 MA Fine Art, Tehran University of Art, Tehran, Iran
Professional Practice
2017–Present Independent Painter & Visual Artist, Tehran / Manchester
2025–Present Designer & Contractor, Mural Painting, Manchester, United Kingdom
2021 Designer & Contractor, Mural Painting, Feeling of a Look Co., Iran
2019–2020 Project Manager, Mural Painting, Beautification Organization, Tehran City Council, Iran
2018 Tiling Project, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Selected Exhibitions
2026 HOME Open, HOME Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
2026 10th Anniversary Exhibition, Saul Hay Gallery, Manchester, United Kingdom
2026 Catalyst, Lancaster, United Kingdom
2026 Echo, Cornaro Art Centre, Limassol, Cyprus
2026 Echo, Islington Mill, Salford, United Kingdom
2026 Reflecting // Processing, Studio Sanct, Manchester, United Kingdom
2025 Making and Mending, Altogether Otherwise, NOMA, Manchester, United Kingdom
2025 My Story, Your Story, Saan1 Gallery, Manchester, United Kingdom
2025 Enigma, Saan1 Gallery, Manchester, United Kingdom
2025 The Scent of Home, The Station Gallery, York, United Kingdom
2025 Blue Shop Gallery, London, United Kingdom
2024 DMZ × Short Supply MADE IT Show, Manchester, United Kingdom
2024 MA Show, Holden Gallery, Manchester School of Art, Manchester, United Kingdom
2023 Print Card International Prints Exchange, SAND, Poland
2019 The 7th Annual Handprint Making Exchange, Laleh Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2018 Group Painting Exhibition, Ehsan Art Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2017 Solo Exhibition, Ferdows Cultural Center, Tehran, Iran
Awards & Recognition
2025 Saatchi Art Top 25 Emerging Artists
2025 Wallace Seymour Award
2020 First Place, Tehran District 5 Painting Competition, Tehran, Iran
Selected Collaborations
2025–Present 1838 Collective, Manchester, United Kingdom
Media Recognition
2026 Corridor8 — Sad Music You Can Dance To: On Yasaman Mollasalehi
2026 ILNA — A Voice Calls You Home
Teaching Experience
2019–2023 Private Tutor, Drawing and Still Life Painting, Tehran, Iran
