Invisible Threads: Portraits and Stories of Our Global Neighbors

September 23- December 20

Invisible Threads: Portraits and Stories of Our Global Neighbors offers a powerful and deeply personal look at the lives of immigrants who have made Cape Cod their home. Through striking portraiture and firsthand narratives, the exhibition explores themes of migration, resilience, identity, belonging, and renewal.

Photographed in their homes, workplaces, and communities, the individuals featured in the exhibition share stories that span Jamaica, Brazil, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Malaysia, Costa Rica, and beyond. Each participant played an active role in shaping how their story is told, ensuring the exhibition reflects their experiences with dignity, authenticity, and respect.

Created through a collaboration between South African-born photographer Julia Cumes and Brazilian photographer Lipe Borges, the exhibition combines compelling imagery with personal narratives drawn from extensive interviews. Together, these portraits and stories invite visitors to look beyond first impressions and discover the shared humanity that connects us all.

About the Artists

Julia Cumes is a South African-born photographer based on Cape Cod whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, and human connection. A former photojournalist, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and other publications. In 2024, she was named Artist of the Year by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.

Lipe Borges is a Brazilian photographer and visual storyteller whose portrait and documentary work celebrates the individuality and resilience of people and communities. Based on Cape Cod since 2020, he is a recipient of both the Creative Futures Fellowship and Teaching Artist Development Fellowship from The Cordial Eye and was selected for the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s 2024 Creative Exchange Cohort.