A Different Kind of Record: Using Art to Put the Focus on the Person, Not Their Past
This year at CSI’s 2024 Annual Convening, we had the privilege of featuring Philadelphia-based artist Mark Loughney. Mark is a justice-impacted painter, draftsman, and portraitist, whose art acts as a national courier for justice reform efforts.
Through his compelling portrait exhibition, Pyrrhic Defeat, Mark captures the humanity of people involved with the justice system by showcasing almost 800 hand-drawn portraits. Mark is currently working on the second chapter of the project, which sets out to capture 800 more portraits — this time showcasing people who support changes to the justice system. These new portraits, including those from our convening, will be exhibited alongside the original sketches to reinforce the project’s mission of bridging the gap between those affected by the system and those advocating for its reform.
Mark believes in the power of art to shift conversations and inspire real change. As he put it:
“I believe that art has a unique ability to provoke critical thinking and start conversations that may otherwise not happen. Through my portrait project, I learned quite a bit about the importance of representation and visibility. When our stories are heard, when we are seen and acknowledged, there is a fostering of empathy and understanding that encourages a shift in thinking beyond the status quo. Art can change minds. And when people change, systems also change.”
By bringing these individuals’ stories to life, Mark’s work aims to change how society views people who have been involved with the justice system, encouraging empathy, visibility, and ultimately, systemic change.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Mural Arts Philadelphia for their direct referrals of both Mark and Eddie Ramirez*, another talented artist featured at our 2024 Convening. The incredible work of their Restorative Justice Program, which empowers individuals who have been disconnected from society, is transformative. Their efforts to give creative voices to those who are often overlooked continue to inspire us, and we’re deeply grateful for their contributions to this important work.
To learn more about the artists we partnered with at CSI’s 2024 Annual Convening, check out this blog post: Meet Our 2024 Convening Featured Artists and Authors.
Share Your Story
Do you have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Join us in changing the narrative — share your story today!
Follow Mark Loughney
Keep up with Mark's work by following him on social media: @loughneyart
Support Pyrrhic Defeat
If you live within traveling distance of Philadelphia and are interested in supporting by sitting for a portrait session, visit his website to learn more about scheduling.