Dexter Lopez was born and raised in New York City to Colombian and Dominican parents. His practice has evolved from painting, to illustration, to photography. Now, he has taken the skills he has learned to construct a virtual world.

Growing up with toxic patriarchal relatives, Lopez’s perspective of Colombian and Dominican cultures became muddied. The actions of his relatives shaped his perception of what it meant to be a Lantine, and what was expected if he presented himself as Latino. Lopez grew up to resent the cultures of his parents’ homelands, preferring to embrace his American identity. 

In a Different Time: Si No Sana Hoy, Sanará Mañana is a playable, dream-like, virtual world where players are house-sitting for the character of “Dexter” and his wife “Rebecca.” They are invited to investigate and piece together clues about why “Dexter” and “Rebecca” have left, ultimately uncovering a hidden story about patriarchal tendencies in his family. The player is asked to explore as much – or as little – of the world as they wish, and to piece together the narrative of how patriarchy can still play a role, even in this fabricated world.