Pyrrhic Defeat:
A Visual Study of
Mass Incarceration

Marking Time Exhibition, MoMA PS1, 2020

Pyrrhic Defeat

Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study Of Mass Incarceration is inspired by and titled after pyrrhic defeat theory, which was posited by Jeffrey Reiman and Paul Leighton in their book, The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison. Pyrrhic defeat is the concept that those with the power to make changes to the criminal justice system benefit from the way it currently works.

Marking Time Presentation, Brown University, 2022

Pyrrhic Defeat Detail

Marking Time Exhibition, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 2022

Marking Time Exhibition, Brown University, 2022

Support the Pyrrhic Defeat project by sitting for a portrait.

In the next chapter of Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration, Mark will draw 800 portraits of people who support changes to the criminal justice system. This continuation of the series will be exhibited alongside the original 771 portraits of incarcerated individuals.

If you live within traveling distance of Philadelphia and are interested in sitting for Pyrrhic Defeat, please use the “Schedule a sitting” button below to coordinate a sitting appointment via Mark’s Calendly. In your inquiry, Mark would also love to hear a bit about why you’re interested in supporting criminal justice reform, and how you found out about the Pyrrhic Defeat project! However, even if you live outside of Philadelphia, please send your portrait sitting inquiry to Mark – you may still be able to participate in this project!

Portrait sittings will be scheduled in one-hour blocks consisting of 30 minutes of drawing time and two 15-minute preparatory blocks before and after the sitting. Come as you are! Portrait sittings typically take place in Mark’s studio in downtown Philadelphia, unless greater distances are involved. If you’re interested in sitting, but would like more information about the project or Mark’s artistic process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mark with any questions.

Pyrrhic Defeat Exhibition, University of Scranton, 2023