The Opening Reception of If I Were You (And I Wish I Was) by Alec Basse

If I Were You (And I Wish I Was) by Alec Basse Sanctuary Gallery Sunday, September 27, 2026 These photos were made over years of driving, wandering, and waiting around. They follow musicians, strangers, friends, roadside attractions, bars, back rooms, and places that seem determined to outlive their moment. What connects them is a feeling: meeting someone, seeing a place, or hearing a story and thinking, If I were you… A sense of place. A good story. A way of carrying yourself. These photographs are a collection of those encounters and the admiration, curiosity, and longing that came with them. Alec Basse is a photographer, director, and visual artist based in Chicago. His work focuses on music, Americana, and the people and places that shape them. Drawn to roadside attractions, live performance, and everyday moments of character and history, he creates photographs that explore identity, memory, and a sense of place. His work has appeared in Times Square on the big billboard and has been commissioned by musicians, record labels, and cultural institutions throughout the United States. When not making photographs, he collects trinkets, country records, and other things he probably doesn't need.