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 a fine art photographer whose practice uses portraiture and the natural world to investigate themes of identity, home, adolescence and the female experience.
Born in India and raised in New Jersey, Hoffman grew up in a family of doctors spanning three generations. While an undergraduate at Brown University, Hoffman also studied photography at the Rhode Island School of Design and she was a staff photographer for the Brown Daily Herald. A graduate of Brown University Medical School and resident at UCLA Medical Center, her training led to a career as a neurologist.
A skilled observer of her patients, Hoffman was instilled with a deep and unique appreciation of the human experience. Her ability to forge the sacred trust between doctor and patient has been instrumental in fostering a parallel connection between photographer and subject.
Hoffman published her first monograph Hair Stories with Damiani Editore (February 2019) accompanied by a solo exhibition at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. Her monograph, Hair Stories, is held in many notable public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty, Cleveland Institute of Art, and over twenty-five university libraries.
Her second monograph, Embrace, with Schilt Publishing was just released October 2022 (Europe) and January 2023 (U.S.). A solo show of this work was exhibited at the Griffin Museum of Photography in May 2023.
In 2021, she was the winner of the Altanta Photography Group’s Purchase Award and several of her prints were acquired by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her photographs have been exhibited in juried group shows both nationally and internationally in venues such as The Center for Fine Art Photography, Griffin Museum, Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Los Angeles Center for Photography, Photo LA, and A. Smith Gallery. She has received numerous awards and has been published in Marie Claire Italia, F-Stop Magazine, The Daily Beast, Lenscratch, Shots Magazine, and Edge of Humanity among others. She lives with her husband, three children and two golden retrievers in Los Angeles.
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):
2024
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:
All about Photo, Colors Magazine, Dec 2023 (Merit Award)
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:
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):
Blackberry Magazine, The Muse Issue (digital)
Medicine at Brown Magazine, Winter 2024
All about Photo, Colors Magazine, Dec 2023 (Merit Award)
All about Photo, Best rising photographers, Dec 2023
F-Stop Magazine, Book Review of Embrace, July 2023
Shots Magazine, “Meet my muse”, Fall 2023
Hundred Heroines, review of Embrace 2023
Oxford American Magazine, Summer 2023
Art New England Magazine (Cover) May/June 2023
Boston Globe review of Embrace show, April 2023
What will you remember? Review of Griffin show,, April 2023
L’oiel de la photographie/The eye of photography, April 2023
Los Angeles Center of Photography, Member of the month March 2023
LA Weekly, Review of Embrace, February 2023
What will you remember? Book review of Embrace, February 2023
PhotoBook Journal, Review of Embrace, January 2023
Lenscratch, Feature on Embrace, January 2023
Denver Post, Culture of Hair Show, June 2022
303 Magazine, Culture of Hair Show Review, June 2022
Aesthetica Magazine, Feature on In Gratitude, August 2021
She Gazes, Issue 6, July 2021
Ain’t Bad Magazine, Issue No. 15, July 2021
iLeGaLit Magazine, Feature on In Gratitude, July 2021
Square Magazine, Feature on In Gratitude, April 2021
Dodho Magazine, Feature on In Gratitude, March 2021
Dodho Magazine, Feature on Generation 1.75, March 2021
What will you remember? The New Dawn Blooms, February 9, 2021
Lenscratch, Feature on In Gratitude, February 16, 2021
What will you remember? A Spectrum of Exposure, January 28, 2021
Lenscratch, Feature on The Year of Not Knowing, January 10, 2021
Lenscratch, Feature on Project 2020 Exhibition, April 2020
Brisbane Times, Feature on Hair Stories, March 2020
SHUTR Magazine, Feature on Hair Stories, March 2020
Brain and Life Magazine, Feature on Hair Stories, April/May 2020
Marie Claire Italia, Feature on Hair Stories, September 2019
PhotoBook Journal, Review on Hair Stories, September 2019
F-Stop Magazine, Book Review on Hair Stories, July 2019
UCLA Health Online, for Pink Portrait Project June 2019
El Pais, Feature on Hair Stories, June 2019
Daily Beast, Feature on Hair Stories May 2019
LA Weekly, Feature on Hair Stories, May 2019
Birdinflight Feature of Hair Stories, May 2019
Die Presse, Feature on Hair Stories, May 2019
Speigel.de, Feature on Hair Stories, May 2019
Bontena, Interview, May 2019
LACP member spotlight Summer Issue 2019
PDN, Photo of the Day, March 2019
Amica.It Hair Stories 26 Feb 2019
Brown Medicine, Hair Stories, Fall 2018
Shots Magazine, Issue No. 138, Winter 2018: Offerings
Edge of Humanity Feature on Mothers and Daughters, Dec 2017
Lenscratch Feature on Hair Stories, August 31, 2017
Feature for Mothers and Daughters livrephotofr.com, April 2017
Non Profit Involvement:
West Valley YMCA Board Member
Pink Portrait Project
Los Angeles Center of Photography Gala Committee Member