Portrait of Founding Fellow Dr Kate Tiller OBE unveiled
Kellogg College proudly unveiled a portrait of Founding Fellow Dr Kate Tiller OBE, now displayed in the College foyer.
Dr Tiller’s remarkable contributions to the College and academia make her a truly inspiring figure to honour. As a Founding Fellow of Kellogg in 1990, she played a pivotal role in introducing flexible learning to Oxford University, marking her as a pioneer in the field of education.
Dr Tiller served as Senior Tutor, Vice-President, and Dean of Degrees at Kellogg College, leaving an indelible mark through her leadership and vision. A trailblazer in local history, she was also the Director of Studies in Local History at the Department for Continuing Education. In 1993, she designed and implemented Oxford University’s first part-time postgraduate degree, the Master of Studies in English Local History. Just two years later, Kellogg welcomed its first part-time DPhil students as part of a University pilot scheme for part-time research degrees, with English Local History among the three inaugural subjects.
The portrait was created by renowned artist James Gemmill, whose career spans decades and multiple disciplines. Gemmill began his artistic journey early, earning state and national art prizes from the age of 15. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at the University of Utah, followed by a Master’s in Fine Art from Boston University. Awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship, he moved to London to undertake another Master’s at the world-renowned Royal College of Art.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Gemmill gained recognition for his impressionistic depictions of London’s waterways, industrial landscapes, and workers. His work featured in prominent galleries such as Albemarle and Belgravia Galleries in London and Gallery Naga in Boston. Later, Gemmill transitioned to the film industry, where his artistic talents flourished. He has worked as a Scenic Artist on iconic films including Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Mummy, Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Notably, he recreated the Louvre’s famous paintings for The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, contributed to the theatrical set of Anna Karenina, and painted the mural featured in Beauty and the Beast.
The College warmly invites members and visitors to view Dr Tiller’s portrait in the foyer, celebrating her legacy and the artistry of James Gemmill.
Read more about the Kate Tiller Book Collection: Kate Tiller donates book collection to Kellogg
Geoffrey Thomas, President Emeritus remembers Fellow Emerita Dr Kate Tiller OBE, 1949 – 2024
Find out more about the artist, James Gemmill.