Through the Looking Glass

For this project, I followed Mark, a local glass artist and co-owner of the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts in North Carolina. My goal was to document the process of him making glass art, his work hosting the gallery, and his connection with other people in Hillsborough. Through this lens, the project explores the intensely physical labor behind fragile beauty and the deep, communal roots of the local artist co-op.

Mark’s love for art is deeply touching. He started his journey as an artist with photography and film processing and then shifted to glass art after discovering the possibilities. Following Mark also helped me see the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts not only as an exhibition space, but as a living community. The gallery is run by artists who support one another, share responsibilities, and keep local art connected to everyday life in town. I want to sincerely thank Mark for letting me document this process and his life. His hospitality made this project possible. This project is my attempt to honor both the finished artworks and the human hands and community behind them.