South African artist Xopher Wallace says being anonymous means people can focus on

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South African artist Xopher Wallace says being anonymous means people can focus on

The artist Xopher Wallace 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 are 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.

Wallace said that for me, dealing with empty spaces is also dealing with an empty canvas, so I could decorate it as much as I want, adding that he can shoot day or night, then digitally include extra visual elements such as lights or smoke.

Wallace hosted an online exhibition called Inside Outside, which invited other South African visual artists to showcase their work after the Pandemic prompted nationwide lock downs, shutting down galleries across the country. Wallace said the event attracted nearly 5,000 viewers on the first day.

Wallace has been able to expand his audience for his art, as well as to shine a light on other African digital artists by strengthening his online presence.

He said that the times are changing. People are looking into investing in the virtual realm instead of physical spaces.