WILL U B MY FBF?

by Keri O'Meara
In his one man/one woman show “Will You B My FBF?” Toronto artist Jeff Szuc explores the “superficiality of online communities and friendships,” and leaves us wondering who the @#$* our Facebook friends really are. 

Months ago, Szuc appropriated an alter ego on Facebook; Roxane Xeres, a hot 22 year old woman who likes to ‘pawtee!!!!’ Roxane easily befriended over three hundred people-none of whom actually know her because she doesn’t actually exist. Following this, Szuc painted some of his/her new friends who stood out, “personalities expressed strongly enough that I felt they could be transferred to canvas.” While the concept provides an explicit commentary on 21st century friendships, Szuc says that “there is nothing exploitative or mocking in this project.” His portraits are a reflection of how his subjects portray themselves on Facebook.  

Jeff Szuc and Roxane Xeres: WILL U B MY FBF: Identity Theft: Portraits of People I Don't Know by Someone Who Doesn't Exist Using Facebook

Runs from April 14th to May 10th

O'Connor Gallery, 145 Berkeley St.
T: 416-921-7149
Open Tue-Thu; Sat 10:30am-6pm; Fri 10:30am-7pm; Sun 1pm-5pm