Gift of John Andrew MacMahon '95

David Hilliard depicts his father a vulnerable and reticent--far from the impression of the idealized authority figure they may have known as children. The poignant image may be seen as a coming to terms with a parent's shortcomings--accepting them as human and fallible.

Hillard's father is a divorced Navy veteran and retired factory worker who has struggled to accept his son's homosexuality. He is viewed here by his son, who is on the outside looking in. His father is preoccupied and enclosed, his gaze averted. This distance may be seen as representative of their own personal separation.

Blog Post: Infinite Affinities: Cunningham Theatre Exhibition by Yunyue (Sarah) Zhang ’23 & Sarah Willoughby ’25