Tommi Cahill Ph.D.

• Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
• M.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
• B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara

Themes of work range from gender and sexuality to perception.

For two years during my graduate studies at Yale University I rented a room inside a fraternity house. I was the only woman in residency. Everyday I would awaken to the aftermath of senseless acts of destruction and find a newly transformed house from the night before. At any and all hours of the night they would summon me to rise and make photographs of themselves running through the halls naked or lighting things on fire. I was constantly amazed to find that no matter what their background or breeding they were still utter slobs, temporarily afflicted with amnesia regarding anything to do with decorum. Yet, oddly, throughout all of this mayhem I found that there was an underlying true love and intimacy the boys shared with each other--underneath all of their bravado they could be vulnerable and deeply caring individuals. In turn the biggest surprise was that these man-children were, somehow, coming into their own. Forging their way to become the leaders of tomorrow.

My current work has been driven by the fascination of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for their dreams. Limelight, a portrait series, provides an intimate look at background actors who are pursuing their dreams of cinematic acclaim in an unforgiving industry. These Tinseltown workers come from all stations of society -- from wealthy adventurers to ex-cons -- but all of them are hoping to be "discovered," hoping to hang in there until they get that "big break." But, ultimately, it is often about the perusal of dreams that are all too often unrealized. Though extra work is a means to an end, it is not an easy one with up to 16-hour days and minimal compensation. The stark reality is that vocation is not invariably a fruitful one.

Currently I am working on a candid narrative photographic portrait series about the unexpected pageantry of the world around me. I am looking and thinking about the ways in which people interact and cope with others as well as objects, landscapes, animals and the inevitable solitude and struggle with self.

Experience

• Long Beach City College
• Saddleback College
• Chaffey College
• Yale University Art Gallery, Gallery Teacher
• Yale University, School of Art, Intermediate Photography Teaching Assistant
• Yale University, Summer School of Music and Art, Beginning Photography Teaching Assistant
• California Arts Partnership, Beginning Photography Teaching Assistant

Affiliations

• Richard Benson Prize for Excellence in Photography, 2006