A mirror is a seemingly innocuous object. It is also a visually magical surface, a refraction of light that creates a portal of deviated perspective. A mirror lets people see themselves. Within the home, a mirror becomes a tableau for self-reflection in the most intimate setting. Reflecting the comings and goings of its occupants, the mirror is fixed in its fluidity, constantly shifting according to the perspective of its viewer. But the person in the mirror is not the one others would see. It is merely a reflection.
The following images, sourced from Facebook Marketplace and ebay, showcase the creativity of everyday photographers selling objects which reflect their own identity. These 60 images were selected from a growing compilation on an Are.na channel sharing the same name as this book. No edits were made other than slight cropping and enlargement.
During the course of this project, I was introduced to a series of prints by Penelope Umbrico titled TVs from Craigslist. Created in 2011, the artist sources images of TVs for sale on Craigslist and crops them to focus solely on the reflections visible on the screens. Similarly, my fascination lies in what the mirror reveals, often unintentionally, about its owner and the home it will soon leave behind. Like Umbrico, I also sense the tendency for exhibitionism in these utilitarian images. It is evident that the rise of the mirror selfie has affected the ways we frame ourselves, how we wish to be seen, and what we choose to hide. And, of course, smartphones are prominent.
