A meditation on southern identity.

For me, the South is more than just a place; it’s a rhythm, a memory, a lineage, and a portal to a wider world. These dirt roads serve as both map and memory, shaping my path while grounding me in the spirit of home.

Through imagery, objects, and storytelling, this exhibition traces the moments that shape who we become.

At its core, Dirt Road Baby is about finding oneself in the landscape of the south, understanding cultural value beyond what the mainstream offers and channeling the energy of those who came before us.

(Text by LeXander Bryant)

LeXander Bryant (b. 1989) is a photographer and visual artist living and working in Nashville, TN. His practice focuses on capturing the essence of Black life, particularly in the American South. Through stories of triumph, resilience, and cultural identity, his work documents and designs narratives of the Black experience. In 2022, he debuted his first solo museum exhibition, Forget me nots, at the Frist Art Museum, presenting multimedia installations that explored themes of survival, memory, and community. Following this exhibition, Bryant was featured in Forbes for his work at the Frist. His second museum exhibition is scheduled to open at the Huntsville Museum of Art in July 2026. Bryant’s public art projects include the acclaimed Opportunity co$t mural, featured in the Murals of North Nashville now exhibition at the Frist Art Museum. His work has been privately and publicly collected, most notably by the North Dakota Museum of Art. Bryant has exhibited with Red Arrow in Nashville TN, participating in the 2024 group exhibition Hot summer, and he will present his forthcoming solo exhibition, Dirt road baby, at Red Arrow in November 2025.