Anthony J. Rocca, professionally known as BL?ND EYEZ, is a Melbourne based street photographer and abstract artist. Their work centers on capturing emotional undercurrents often overlooked in everyday life moments the public instinctively turns a blind eye to. Working primarily in black and white, Anthony strips scenes back to their emotional core, allowing narrative and feeling to take precedence while lending the real world an ethereal, almost otherworldly quality. Embracing an unconventional approach, they frequently employ deliberately “incorrect“ camera settings to produce imagery that is gritty, raw, and emotionally charged.
Born in 2002 and starting their work in December 2020, they quickly became prevalent in the street photography scenes of Melbourne, despite the ethical controversy of his work, Anthony focuses on documenting society in order to showcase the truths of how modern society operates on a daily basis.
BIOGRAPHY
STATEMENT ON PHOTOGRAPHY
My work often pushes boundaries of what is acceptable, zero filter of grey areas, as I like to document society for what it truly is, no sugar coating. This leads to controversy within society but all in all, the problems in society and my artistic vision ultimately do their job by provoking these types of reactions. In my opinion, if the images don't make you emotional, then they are poorly documented.
We as a society, are too used to conformity and are gullible enough to listen to anything we are told by the authorities, by tricking you with manipulative tactics and straight out lies, that we don't see as lies because we have a loving government who care for our well being, right? But everyone stares, no one sees.
My ultimate goal with my documentation is to show the world the things they miss on a daily basis, the way we have become sheep, with our mouths shut and our eyelids glued together. I want to put humanity in the public eye, instead of through the governments eye, which was never intended to benefit you.
Photography for me is not just putting together a piece of art to display on paper or a screen, photography to me is a way to showcase a feeling, an emotion a story untold or unknown. It’s a way of self expression, to show the world how your personal vision is interpreted for the viewer.
I've always been a creative thinker, the black sheep, the boy brushed red living in black and white. I never stayed in line with the sheep, rather, broke all rules and did my own thing, sure it got me hate, but it's what makes me unique. Before photography, I expressed feelings and creativity within music, which I was doing from the age of 12, and stopping primary composing at around 18, when my photography passion took off.
BEHIND THE LOGO
A modernised question mark that represents uncertainty, mystery, being misunderstood and questioning everything in life.
The question mark fits perfectly on these subjects as a question marks purpose is used when asking a question or when something is unclear/unknown. Being a street photographer, I am always bringing light to the blindness of society and showcasing hidden or missed things within daily life.
As a person I am also misunderstood, often seen as arrogant, bigoted or stupid, but in reality, I am simply documenting what I want to showcase in the world and frankly, I sit above the equilibrium of society, hence being misunderstood.
