For the artist Xopher Wallace, it all started with a recurring dream he had as a child.
He would speak to people around him, but they never engaged. Wallace realized that he was only a silhouette when he looked at his reflection.
In 2017 the South African visual artist decided to be anonymous, taking the alias Xopher Wallace and wearing goggles, a morphsuit and sweatshirt in his photographs to keep his real identity a secret. He believes that being anonymous means that people can focus on his art and preserve his authentic character. In society, I think we're under pressure to show the good side in our lives, whereas in my work I express even some of my negative feelings or feelings that make me feel uncomfortable, Wallace said.
For me, dealing with empty spaces is also dealing with an empty canvas, so I can decorate it as much as I want, he added, adding that he can shoot day or night, then digitally include extra visual elements such as lights or smoke.
Wallace hosted an online exhibition named Inside Outside, a South African visual artist who invited other South African artists to showcase their work when the pandemic prompted nationwide lock downs, shutting down galleries across the country. Wallace said the event drew nearly 5,000 viewers on the first day.
Wallace's online presence has allowed him to expand the audience for his art, as well as help shine a light on other African digital artists.
He said that the times are changing. People are looking into investing in the virtual realm instead of physical spaces.