Meet Mark Loughney (@loughneyart) —a draftsman, painter, and Pennsylvania native whose powerful art journey began in the confines of a prison cell. Mark’s late-night sketches captured raw emotions and experiences that have since evolved into profound works of art. His series, Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration, first debuted at MoMA PS1 in the acclaimed exhibition Marking Time: Art In The Age Of Mass Incarceration.

Now, Mark is expanding his project by drawing 800 portraits of people advocating for criminal justice reform.

Despite his success, Mark remains on parole until 2052 and lives in constant fear of making a mistake that could send him back to prison, drastically altering the course of his life. His story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those navigating the parole system, even after finding success.

Mark visited REFORM today to discuss the struggles of parole and the reality of living under constant scrutiny. His work has been featured in major outlets like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and NPR, shining a light on the human impact of mass incarceration.

Watch to see Mark’s incredible journey and how he’s using art to push for change and give hope to those battling the system.