WOAW Gallery recently launched a solo exhibition entitled “We Just Got to See Us,” featuring the latest works by American artist Auudi Dorsey, held at the gallery’s Wan Chai location in Hong Kong. Showcasing 11 artworks, this exhibition offers a contemporary exploration of the daily experiences of African Americans in the Southern United States. Running from June 15 to July 22, the exhibition marks Dorsey’s debut solo show in Asia, bringing his unique perspective and artistic vision to a new audience.
With “We Just Got to See Us,” Dorsey delves into the profound resilience and enduring spirit of the Black community, capturing moments that transcend space, place, and time. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the vibrant Black neighborhoods of the Southern region, the artist depicts scenes that reflect both the struggles and triumphs of the community. Through his art, Dorsey embraces his identity and heritage, instilling a sense of pride and celebration in his work.
At the heart of this series is the recognition of the integral role that community plays in shaping the lives of African Americans in the Southern region. The figures depicted in Dorsey’s artworks take center stage, immersed in everyday experiences and often surrounded by familiar objects such as white tees, cars, and cigarettes. The artist employs an earthy color palette that complements the rich hues of black skin, while the white background in some works symbolizes the void left by the erosion of community, resulting in displacement or a sense of being outsiders in their own neighborhoods.
Dorsey explains the significance of his work, stating, “Being able to express any kind of emotion with a contemporary context allows me to engage with the environmental, social, and political climate experienced by Black individuals in the Southern region. These bodies of work depict moments from the past and present, drawing from personal experiences. I want the people of my community to be seen and honored because it is the people who hold the community together.”
Explore our in-depth interview with Auudi Dorsey as he provides unique insights into the artworks featured in the exhibition and shares his overarching artistic practice.
Can you tell us about the concept behind your exhibition “We Just Got to See Us” and how it explores the experiences of African Americans in the Southern region of the United States?
The idea of “We Just Got to See Us” was to showcase visibility to the Black community. I wanted to paint moments of what it was like for me growing up in a Black neighborhood in the south. I’m interested in painting about people that I related to and places I’ve come from. My approach was how can originate my own experience of what consume me and puzzle together the feeling of community.
What inspired you to focus on quotidian scenes of the African American community in your artwork, and how do you draw from your personal experiences to depict their struggles and triumphs?
New Orleans is such a creative hub for Black people, jazz was created here and so many other things. I find so much beauty in the resilience of my community. Being able to walk down the street hear a guy playing a musical instrument or watching someone clean their old school that’s has been worked on for months excites me. The effort and time we put into turning nothing into something. I observe so much of what goes on around me and whenever makes me feel a sense of memory or emotion I love to run to my sketchbook afterwards.
How do you believe your artwork contributes to a celebration of the resilience and spirit of the Black community, and the importance of community itself?
I hope my works inspire others to see self-worth. Kids in the future now will be able to travel and see more works of African American artist in great spaces around the world. That idea along I believe sparks inspiration and celebration of Black live.
Could you share a bit about your background and journey as an artist, and what influences have shaped your artistic style and approach?
I’ve always been a visual learner growing up. I noticed I had a great way of processing something and sketching it very well. Over the years I kept a pencil and sketchpad around me most of the time. I grew up with a father who was a mechanic, so I found a love to sketch whatever vehicle I seen him working on. That’s why you may see so many works surrounded by the idea of a man and a car. I believe I created my first painting in Junior High since then it’s been a journey of being the student and being the creator.
“For me, art helps immortalized moments, people, and places we have experience in our lifetime.”
Can you discuss your artistic process and any specific rituals or techniques that you follow?
I like to treat my process as if I’m building a home or a car. One thing I enjoy doing before a day at the studio is to go for a run. It helps to clear my mind which allows for new ideas to come in. I enjoy trying to figure out how to channel to past and the present in works. Seeing certain vehicles, they may been own by a family member triggers such a nostalgia feeling for me. My phone also is used as my portable sketchpad so ill create what I feel in that moment immediately. I also dive into a lot of historical Black photographer works as references sometimes to create thumbnails of a concept. Collecting old VIBE, SOURCE and DUB car magazines is about of my artistic ritual.
What role do you believe art plays in society, and what do you hope to achieve or communicate through your artwork?
Arts is what shaped our reality. It’s the mirror to everything around us rather its good or bad. For me, art helps immortalized moments, people, and places we have experience in our lifetime.
Can you talk about any notable exhibitions or projects you have been a part of in the past, and how you feel about your first solo showing in Asia?
I’ve been grateful to show works at 1-54 fair London, New York, Dallas Art Fair, Untitled Art Basel, and solo exhibition in Italy last year with LUCE GALLERY. Few or my works have already been placed in Museum across Asia so doing my first exhibition in Asia is awesome.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you are excited about and would like to share with us?
I’m currently back in the studio working on new conceptual works that’s off the canvas, I have experience in working producing 3-dimensional works so to be able to bring that back into my crafts is exciting. I have an residence in London with PM/AM collective and solo exhibition in the Fall with Art Life.
WOAW Gallery
5 Sun St.
Wan Chai,
Hong Kong
