ARTIST STATEMENT

Our shared and common humanity is assumed but not always evident. Making work inspired from my own personal experiences, I look for ways to further and deepen our thoughts on this connection.

BIO

Rohina Hoffman is an Indian-born American artist whose narrative work explores themes of identity, home, adolescence, and the female experience. Raised in New Jersey and now based in California, Hoffman earned both her B.S. in Neuroscience and M.D. from Brown University, and also studied photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. After years of practicing as a clinical neurologist, she shifted her focus fully to her artistic practice.

Her first monograph, Hair Stories (Damiani Editore, 2019), was accompanied by a solo exhibition at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. The book is held in prominent public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Getty Research Institute, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and over 25 university libraries. Her second book, Embrace (Schilt Publishing, 2023), was exhibited in a solo show at the Griffin Museum of Photography. In 2023, she also self-published Providence: Uncovered, a bound collection of photo postcards documenting Providence’s iconic street names with accompanying historical notes. In 2021, she won the Purchase Award with the Atlanta Photography Group, and several works from her Generation 1.75 project were acquired by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Hoffman’s photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally in juried group shows at venues including The Center for Fine Art Photography, Griffin Museum, Atlanta Photography Group, Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Photo LA, and A. Smith Gallery. She has also shown work with Alta Vista Arts (Paris) and the World Food Photography Awards in Madrid, Spain. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire Italia, The Guardian, F-Stop Magazine, Lenscratch, Shots Magazine, Dodho Magazine, Aesthetica Magazine, Gastronomica, Blackberry Magazine, Oxford Magazine, and Art New England (including a cover feature). Her poetry has been published in Art New England and Blackberry Magazine, where both her writing and photographs appeared together.

Her awards and recognition include being a Critical Mass Finalist (Top 200, 2025), winner of the 20th Anniversary Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers (Self-Portrait, Professional Category, 2023), and shortlisted as Food Photographer of the Year (Pink Lady, 2021). Her speaking and interview appearances include NPR’s Brian Lehrer Show (2019) and NPR/WJCT Public Radio (2023).

Download CV

CV

b. 1968, India

Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 1990

Doctor of Medicine, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, 1994

Photography at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, 1990

Fine Art Photography workshops and mentoring with Aline Smithson at the Los Angeles Center of Photography, 2015 – present

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Embrace at the Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester MA 2023

Hair Stories at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI 2019

MONOGRAPHS

Providence Uncovered, Postcard book, September 2023. Photographs by Rohina Hoffman, text by Rohina Hoffman and Hilary Bergen. Designed by Sally Ann Field.

Embrace, published by Schilt Publishing (hardcover) January 2023, Essays by Paula Tognarelli and Geeta Kothari, Text and Photographs by Rohina Hoffman.

Hair Stories published by Damiani Editore (hardcover) March 2019, Introduction by Emily Lambert-Clements, Essay by Esther R. Berry, Statement and Photographs by Rohina Hoffman, with accompanying insert.

The Year of Not Knowing (in six words), a group book project January 2021

COLLECTIONS (Prints)

High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA

COLLECTIONS (Publication)

Bard Graduate Center: Decorative Arts, Design History, Material Culture, New York

Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma, Italy

Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Cincinatti Art Museum Library, Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH

Columbia University Library, New York, N.Y.

Dickinson College Library, Carlisle, PA

Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA

Harvard University Fine Arts Library, Cambridge, MA

Hollins University, Roanoke, VA

Indian University, Bloomington IN

Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles, CA

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA

Massey University Library, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library, New York, NY

Miami University Libraries, King Library, Oxford, Ohio

Michigan State Univesity Libraries, Main Library, East Lansing, MI

Monash University Library, Clayton, Australia

New York Public Library, New York, NY

Oberlin College Library, Oberlin, OH

Princeton University Library, Princeton, N.J.

Radford University Library, McConnell Library, Radford, VA

Rhode Island School of Design Library, Providence, RI

RIT Library, Wallace Library, Rochester, NY

Shanghai Library, Shanghai, China

Sächsische Landesbibliothek, Dresden, Germany

Staaliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Tufts University, Tisch Library, Medford, MA

University of Arizona Libraries, Tucson, AZ

University of Denver, Denver, CO

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

University New Mexico, Main Campus, Albuquerque, NM

University of Saint Francis, Vann Library, Fort Wayne, IN

UC Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

UC San Diego Library, La Jolla, CA

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Virginia Commonwealth University, VCU Library, Richmond, VA

Williams College, Sawyer Library, Williamstown MA

Yale University Library, New Haven, CT

Zurcher Hochschule der Kunste- Medien-und-Informationszentrum, Zurich, SW

JURIED / GROUP EXHIBITIONS (Select)

2025

Into the Complete Unknown, Harvey Milk Photo Center, San Francisco, CA.

Of land and place, Vermont Center for Photography, Brattleboro, VT, Jurors: Sharon Harper and Karen Haas

2024

Call the dogs, South X Southeast Gallery, Online exhibition, Juror: Elizabeth Avedon

Elle est présente, Group show with Alta Vista Arts, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Paris, France, November, 2024

World Food Photography Awards, Madrid Spain (Part of the trade show Fruit Attraction)

Selects 2024, Atlanta Photography Group, Atlanta, GA. Juror: Aline Smitshon

Candela Gallery, Unbound13!, Richmond, VA, July 2024

Griffin Museum's 14th Annual Photobook Exhibition, Winchester, MA, June-Sept 2024.

A Woman’s Place, The Ebell, Los Angeles, CA. Jurors: Shana Nys Dymbrot, Amy Scott and Taylor Bythewood-Porter.

Visions of Love, (online), The Luupe.

South x Southeast Gallery (online), 40 over 40, Juror: Elizabeth Avedon

2023

If Memory Serves: Photography, Recollections and Vision, The Brand Gallery, Glendale, CA December, 2023 - February, 2024

Alta Vista Arts, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Paris, France, November, 2023

Portraits beyond faces, PH21 gallery, Budapest, Hungary

Edward Mitchell Bannister National Exhibition, Providence Art Club, Providence, RI Juror: Krista Scenna

Language of Color, Atlanta Photography Group, Atlanta, GA. Juror: Blue Mitchell (first prize)

Curated Fridge, Spring 2023 Show, Jurors: Debra Klomp Ching and Darren Ching

Night Lights Denver, Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Denver, CO. Juror: Samantha Johnson

Big Picture Colorado, Denver, CO, Juror: Mark Sink

2022

Member’s Exhibition, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles, CA. Juror: Samantha Johnson

Portfolio 2022, Atlanta Portfolio Group, Atlanta, Georgia, Juror: Karen Haas

Culture of Hair, Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Denver, CO, Curated by Samantha Johnston

2022 Members Juried Exhibition (ONLINE), Center for Photographic Art, Carmel CA, Juror: Crista Dix

8th International Call for Entries, Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI, Juror: Jessica Roscio (Awarded Juror’s 2nd Prize)

How we see ourselves, honoring Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, The Luupe, (online)

World View, Bridge Photo Gallery and 2021 Highlights from Zeke Awards, Cambridge, MA.

2021

Portfolio 2021, Atlanta Photography Group, Atlanta, Georgia, Juror: Dr. Rebecca Senf, Winner of the Purchase Prize

7th Annual Group Show, Davis Orton Gallery, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

A New Leaf, RI Center for Photographic Arts, Jurors: Elin Spring and Suzanne Revy

Art in the time of Corona, online exhibition, Dab Art, Los Angeles, CA

The Year of Not Knowing, online exhibition, Los Angeles Center of Photography

Identity, online exhibit, Art Fluent

2020

IV: Members Exhibition, online exhibit, Filter Photo, Juror: Jonathan Blaustein

Connected World Exhibition, The Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles, CA. Jurors: Sam Abel, Julia Dean, Mitch Dobrowner, Deborah Klochko, Matthew Rolston, Joel Sartore, and John Simmons. Online Exhibition

Togethering, Houston Center of Photography, Houston, TX.

Project 2020 Exhibition, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles, CA. Juror: Douglas Marshall

Portraits 2020 Exhibition, Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

Shutterbug Photography Exhibit, San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center, Tarzana, CA, Juror: Nancy Kaye

2019

Winter Solstice Show, The Griffin Museum Winchester, MA

Who are you? Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Denver, CO, Juror: Roula Seikaly

Contemporary Portrait Photography, San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, CA, Juror: Aline Smithson

LACP First Annual Photo Book Competition, Los Angeles, CA, Jurors: Douglas Stockdale and Gerhard Clausing

Women’s Stories (Untold) Text and Image Midwest Ctr for Photography, Wichita, KS, Jurors: Alexi Berry and Linda Robinson

In Your Mother Tongue: A Word and Image Dialogue, Griffin Museum of Photography (Lafayette City Center) Boston, MA, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

Aging as Art Photography Show, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA and Newport Beach Central Library, Newport, CA, Jurors: Michele Cardon, Jacques Garnier, Laurel Hungerford, Laurie Mirman, and Barbara White

6th Open Call for Contemporary Photography, RI Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI, Juror: Aline Smithson

Exhibit at Photo LA at the Barker Hanger, Santa Monica, CA, Curated by Claudia James Bartlett

3rd Annual Photo Competition, LA ARTCORE, Los Angeles, CA, Jurors: Sarah Lee, Sarah Hadley, Aline Smithson

2018

The Creative Portrait, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles, CA, Jurors: Nicholas & David Fahey

Punctum Exhibit, PH 21 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

Portraits Exhibition, The Griffin Museum of Photography (Lafayette City Center), Winchester, MA, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

4th Annual Group Show, Davis Orton Gallery, Hudson, NY, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

Home Exhibition, Southeast Center for Photography, Greenville, SC, Juror: Aline Smithson

Portraits Exhibition, A Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX, Juror: Alyssa Coppelman

2017

2017 Women's Group Photography Show, A Room of One's Own, The Perfect Exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

LACP Fourth Annual Members’ exhibition, dnj Gallery in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

Portraiture: Mirror Mirror, Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR, Juror: Amy Arbus

3rd Open Call Exhibition, Providence Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI, Juror: Paula Tognarelli

Photography Re-imagined VI: Visual Storytelling, Tilt Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, Juror: Cig Harvey

2016

Emotion, A Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX, Juror: Karen Divine

A Sense of Place, PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT, Juror: Jane F. Alt

Black and White 2016, The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO, Juror: Rodney Smith

Texas National 2016 Exhibition, SFA Art Galleries, Nacogdoches, TX, Juror: Abelardo Morell

Dreamlike Landscapes, Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece

2015

Aesthetics, Black and White Photography, The Perfect Exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Black and White Photography Online Exhibit, Photography Center of Cape Cod, MA, Juror: Andy Howard

Splash, 1650 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Your Move Dance Photography and Competition, Art House Productions Gallery, Jersey City, NJ, Finalist

Dualities, Mills Pond House Gallery, 34th Annual Juried Photography, St. James, NY, Jurors: Melanie and Michelle Craven

Portraiture: Pictures in Photography, Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR, Juror: Kelli Pennington

AWARDS

Critical Mass, Top 200, 2025

All about Photo, Colors Magazine, Dec 2023 (Merit Award)

Tokyo Foto Awards, Bronze prize for Embrace, 2023

Budapest Foto Awards, Bronze prize for Embrace (book) in fine art category, 2023

Winner, 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers, in professional -single Self Portrait category and an Honorable mention award for Self Portrait and Fine Art Series (2023)

First prize, The Language of Color Exhibit, Atlanta Photography Group (2023)

Shortlisted for AIS Open “Women behind the lens: place and space” 2023

Finalist, Dodho Magazine Color Awards 2022

Juror’s Second Prize, Rhode Island Photographic Arts Center, 2022

Winner, High Museum Purchase Award with Atlanta Photography Group, 2021

Shortlisted for Food Photographer of the Year, Photography Taste Awards, 2021

Finalist, Artavita 44th International Art competition, 2021

First Place Juror's Award, Shutterbug Photography Exhibit, San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center, Tarzana, CA, 2020

Honorable Mention, Portrait Category, Professional Category Single and Series, Neutral Density Photography Awards, 2019

Honorable Mention, in Portrait Category,12th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Hair Stories, 2018

Silver Medal Award, San Francisco Bay International Photo Show, 2018

Honorable Mention, Portrait Category, Neutral Density Photography Awards, 2017

Honorable Mention, Fine Art Category, Tokyo International Foto Awards, 2016

Honorable Mention, Portrait Category, Neutral Density Photography Awards, 2016

Honorable Mention, The Human Face, TerraBella Media World Photography Network, 2016

Honorable Mention, Red Competition, Nature Category, Prix De La Photographie Paris, 2016

Honorable Mention, Portrait Category, Monochrome Awards, 2015

Merit Award Winner, Reflections, TerraBella Media World Photography Network, 2015

Honorable Mention, iShow, Van Vessem Gallery, Tiverton, RI, Aug 2015

SPEAKING

Artist talk and book signing, Harvey Milk Photo Center, November 2025

Photobook Roundtable, Panelist, Los Angeles Center of Photography, July 2024

Artist Talk for Griffin Museum of Photography May 2023, presented Embrace

Podcast Interview, NPR, “What’s health got to do with it” March 2023, discussing Hair Stories.

Portfolio 2022, Artist Talks (online), Atlanta Photography Group, June 2022

Culture of Hair, Panel Discussion (online), Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Denver, CO, 2022.

Moderating Thesis Panel for Masters of Art Education for School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2022

Artist Talk (online) Photo Chat Chat, The Griffin Museum of Photography, Presented Hair Stories, 2021

Artist Talk, (online) Los Angeles Center of Photography, Presented In Gratitude, 2021

Artist Talk (online) for Project 2020 Exhibition, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Presented Generation 1.75, 2020

Radio Interview WNYC/NPR on the Brian Lehrer Show for Hair Stories, 2019

Panel Discussion, co-hosted with Hilary Friedman Unapologetically Feminine: Beauty, Power, and Appearance in Science and Medicine, Brown University Office of Women in Medicine and Science, 2019

Discussion and Book Signing Hair Stories with Aline Smithson, Arcana Books on the Arts, Culver City, CA 2019

Book Panel Discussion, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Presenter, 2019

Artist Talk at Los Angeles Center of Photography, Presented Generation 1.75, 2018

Artist Talk at Open Show Pasadena/East LA, Armory Center for the Arts, Presented Hair Stories, 2018

Artist Talk at Open Show LA at Fabrik Projects Gallery, Presented Hair Stories, 2018

PUBLICATIONS (Select)

The Guardian, picture essay: “Anything can happen”, August 21, 2025

Food Stories, Shutter Hub Publication (2024)

Gastronomica Magazine (The Journal of Food Studies) Published by UC Press, Book review on Embrace, Spring 2024 Issue.

Blackberry Magazine, The Muse Issue (digital)

Medicine at Brown Magazine, Winter 2024

All about Photo, Colors Magazine, Dec 2023 (Merit Award)