California, the
Golden State, is steeped in cliché like almost nowhere else: palm trees,
beach-blonde surfers, aspiring actors and tail-finned cars, all bathed in
endless sunshine. Sally Davies, acclaimed New York photographer and author of New
Yorkers, heads west to capture the images and listen to the voices of
everyday Californians in their own homes, hoping to delve beneath the
ubiquitous stereotypes. She finds light and space, swimming pools and enticing
views of the stunning natural surroundings encroaching through the walls.
Posing for her in bedrooms, garages and patios, Davies discovers vibrant
multicultural communities, eccentric stories of hopes and dreams, tales of
gridlocked traffic, urban sprawl, air pollution and all aspects of the
entertainment industry. Among the voices are well-known figures, Linda Ramone
and actor Eric McCormack, accompanied by a cast of models, producers, a
high-court judge, artists, stylists, writers, musicians, lawyers, magicians and
many more.