Cari L. Marvelli is a middle child, born in Roseville, raised in Reno, educated in San Francisco, and refined in New York City. However, she eventually settled in Kingston, where she raised two ginger-haired children.
At the age of sixteen, Cari embarked on her photographic journey by collaborating on a seminal hardcore punk fanzine titled “Media Massacre.” As co-publisher/editor her early photographs captured the raw energy and youthful spirit of Reno’s (or more commonly referred to as “Skeeno”) thriving punk scene. These early photographs have been exhibited, published in books, magazines, and various websites, often without her explicit consent.
Cari was also an active participant in the local theater scene. Her innate acting abilities were further enhanced after relocating to San Francisco to receive formal training. Upon graduating from acting school, she departed from her West Coast roots to establish residency in the East Village, where she continued to pursue acting, refined her craft, and worked as a waiter.
In 2001, after decades of urban living and an unsuccessful acting career, Cari relocated herself and her two ginger companions to Kingston, where she devoted herself to writing and filmmaking. In 2009, her mockumentary short film, “Man’aise,” which she wrote, starred in, edited, and produced, was a selection at Mockfest in Hollywood. Cari was nominated for Best Director and Best Actress in a drama and subsequently won the latter award.
Cari has held positions on the board of directors of the Art Society of Kingston and two committees. More recently, she has withdrawn from exhibiting her work to focus on refining the photographic collage pieces that have become defining elements of her artistic expression. Drawing inspiration from a comprehensive collection of self-portraits spanning two decades, Cari’s disembodied creations convey a subtle sensuality. These works delve into the exploration of identity, personality, and vulnerability.
