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Exploring the Enigmatic Dreamscapes of South Africa’s Anonymous Artist

Michael Boone07 mins

Xopher Wallace: A Journey Through Digital Art and Photography

During the pandemic lockdown in South Africa, Wallace began crafting virtual galleries, with his notable exhibition titled “Afridelic Trip.” This innovative exhibition can be accessed on Instagram by scanning a QR code with mobile devices. Wallace collaborated with fellow South African artist vonMash, who supported the art direction and provided stunning artwork influenced by African mysticism. As Wallace notes, “As Africans, traditional masks represent the spirits and the wearer is often known to be possessed by who or what the mask represents.”

The anonymous South African visual artist known as Xopher Wallace -- shown here in his signature morphsuit, goggles and sweatshirt -- aims to inspire people to live their dreams while awake, through his "Sleepwalker" series.
The anonymous South African visual artist known as Xopher Wallace– shown here in his signature morphsuit, goggles, and sweatshirt — aims to inspire people to live their dreams while awake, through his “Sleepwalker” series.

Wallace describes his ongoing project “Sleepwalker,” explaining, “I named my current ongoing project ‘Sleepwalker,’ because that’s what a sleepwalker does — dreams while physically awake.” By using a black morphsuit and goggles, he evokes feelings of loneliness in a surreal setting.

"I named my current ongoing project 'Sleepwalker,' because that's what a sleepwalker does -- dreams while physically awake," he tells CNN, adding that he uses the black morphsuit and goggles to evoke a sense of "loneliness in a surreal world."
“I named my current ongoing project ‘Sleepwalker,’ because that’s what a sleepwalker does — dreams while physically awake,” he tells CNN, adding that he uses the black morphsuit and goggles to evoke a sense of “loneliness in a surreal world.”

Wallace aims to address themes of loneliness and self-belief through his photography. His series is heavily inspired by Japanese anime and the recurring dreams he experienced as a child.

Wallace strives to address the themes of loneliness and believing in oneself. He says the series of photographs are heavily influenced by Japanese anime and the recurring dreams he had as a child.
Wallace strives to address the themes of loneliness and believing in oneself. He says the series of photographs are heavily influenced by Japanese anime and the recurring dreams he had as a child.

He particularly enjoys using dark green tones in his work, which he finds visually captivating.

Wallace says he finds himself drawn to dark green tones and likes to use them in his photography.
Wallace says he finds himself drawn to dark green tones and likes to use them in his photography.

Initially aspiring to be a journalist, Wallace discovered his passion for photography in high school. He began recreating music videos using his brother’s camera, which eventually led him to study photography and film at Boston College in the US.

Initially, he wanted to pursue journalism, but found a passion for photography while in high school when he started using his brother's camera to recreate his favorite music videos. An interest in video editing led him to study photography and film at Boston College in the US.
Initially, he wanted to pursue journalism, but found a passion for photography while in high school when he started using his brother’s camera to recreate his favorite music videos. An interest in video editing led him to study photography and film at Boston College in the US.

In 2017, one specific photograph became the foundation of his “Sleepwalker” series. He acknowledges, “I realized a lot (about) being honest and confident in executing my ideas.”

Taken in 2017, this photo was "the seed that started my Sleepwalker series," Wallace says. "I realized a lot (about) being honest and confident in executing my ideas."
Taken in 2017, this photo was “the seed that started my Sleepwalker series,” Wallace says. “I realized a lot (about) being honest and confident in executing my ideas.”

Born in the Free State province south of Johannesburg, Wallace felt a sense of loneliness upon moving to Cape Town. He articulates, “Regardless of what I felt, I had to keep moving forward towards the light with what I am trying to achieve,” which he aims to illustrate through his work.

Born and raised in the Free State province south of Johannesburg, Wallace says that moving to Cape Town made him feel lonely. "Regardless of what I felt I had to keep moving forward towards the light with what I am trying to achieve," he says, and that's what he wants to depict through this photograph.
Born and raised in the Free State province south of Johannesburg, Wallace says that moving to Cape Town made him feel lonely. “Regardless of what I felt I had to keep moving forward towards the light with what I am trying to achieve,” he says, and that’s what he wants to depict through this photograph.

His photograph titled “Nature Nap” further explores the theme of dreaming while awake, a recurring motif in his work.

Through this photograph titled "Nature Nap," he continues to explore the recurring theme of dreaming while awake.
Through this photograph titled “Nature Nap,” he continues to explore the recurring theme of dreaming while awake.

Additionally, Wallace examines the use of light in night imagery, suggesting that “with every empty space is a possible canvas.” He expresses fascination with “the thought of playing with light,” inspired by the moon’s brightness, illustrating that “everyone has a different light to shine, no matter how dark it may seem.”

With every empty space a possible canvas, Wallace also explores using light in night imagery. "The thought of playing with light is an idea I found fascinating, inspired by the brightness of the moon," he explains. "I was conveying how everyone has a different light to shine, no matter how dark it may seem."
With every empty space a possible canvas, Wallace also explores using light in night imagery. “The thought of playing with light is an idea I found fascinating, inspired by the brightness of the moon,” he explains. “I was conveying how everyone has a different light to shine, no matter how dark it may seem.”


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