Palo Gallery (New York) is proud to present Southern Whips, the highly anticipated New York solo debut of emerging artist Auudi Dorsey. Featuring eight new paintings, this exhibition marks a pivotal moment in Dorsey’s career, showcasing his unique perspective and deep-rooted connection to Southern Black culture. With a focus on the intersection of identity, autonomy, and New Orleans car culture, Southern Whips offers a compelling visual narrative that blends personal history with broader cultural commentary.
As a self-taught painter, Dorsey intentionally uses an earthy color palette to compliment the rich shades of Black skin. Drawing inspiration from his daily experiences, the artist captures moments of the past and present within his works, choosing to depict the struggles and achievements of Black communities while reflecting his personal pride in his heritage. Through figurative paintings and portraits rich in color and history, Dorsey explores how African Americans in the South maintain their stories of ancestral culture.
This new body of work delves into the historical roots and autonomy inherent in the relationship between Black men and automobiles. For many Black men, particularly from lower socio-economic backgrounds, their cars often symbolize a form of status and identity. Owning a vehicle perceived as luxurious or powerful can instill a profound sense of pride and achievement, especially in environments where economic opportunities are scarce. Cars, therefore, serve as more than mere modes of transportation; they embody a means of escape and self-determination. In settings where Black men encounter discrimination or marginalization, their cars offer sanctuaries in which they can express themselves freely and feel a sense of control over their surroundings.
The trend of self-expression through car customization also symbolizes regional identity and pride. Personalized and stylized cars adorned with large rims are frequently associated with notions of individuality and flair. Dorsey will guide the viewer through the aesthetic details of these stylized cars through four large format pieces that will mimic life-size donk cars. Furthermore, the car culture prevalent in the Southern United States maintains historical ties to the “donk” movement, characterized by elevated vehicles equipped with oversized wheels. While the donk trend initially took root within urban communities and the music industry, its influence has significantly impacted car customization practices and style preferences across regions. In doing so, these practices have transcended their origins and have become an enduring cultural phenomenon.
This exhibition directly follows Dorsey’s lauded solo presentation at EXPO CHICAGO 2025 this past April, and on the tails of Dorsey’s recent inclusion in SFMOMA’s group exhibition, Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture.
