CONTACT: electronic mail
jessemlyy (at) gmail (dot) com
Spelled Ly // Pronounced Lee
Instagram: @jessely
Jesse Ly is an Asian-American photographic and image-based artist. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Art History and a certificate in Critical Visions from the University of Cincinnati’s college of DAAP. They currently are the Graphic Design and Photography Media Facilities Coordinator for Art & Design at the University of Dayton.
Ly is a visual artist who primarily uses a photographic approach that incorporates processes of sculpture, installation, bookmaking, and writing to inform and expand imagery. Their work explores identity through representation in photographs and its liminal qualities of existence. This examines how photographic depictions may incite differentiation in presence and portrayal through representation versus actuality.
These concepts surface in formats of self-analyzation, fixating on how Ly and those they have immediate discursive relationships with exists through imagery. By utilizing these depicting objects, a further dialog of the relationships of image making, existence, and conceptual formulation is apprehended. By then intervening and examining the indexical structure of these photographs, a visual inquiry of physical, ethereal and psychological spaces become re-contextualized through the perception and depiction of the liminal spaces and notions imagery creates.
They have exhibited work both nationally across the United States and internationally. A selection of solo exhibitions include Image Interference at Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH, Dear, Sincerely, at Aviary Gallery - Jamaica Plains, MA and I witness, I Observe, I am not, I am. at Capsule Gallery, - Dayton, OH. Notable group exhibitions include Wild Frictions The Politics and Poetics of Interruption at The Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati, FotoFocus - Auto//Update at the Carnegie - Covington, KY, About Future at Millepiani - Rome, Italy. They are recipients of the MCACD & Culture Works Artist Opportunity Grant as well as the Dayton Regional Artist Renewal Grant via the National Endowment for the Arts.
Ly has also worked collaboratively as a member of Hot Take Press, producing publications to expand the possibilities of exhibition through print with other artists at institutions including: The Carnegie (Covington, KY), The George Eastman Museum (Rochester, NY), Beeler Gallery at CCAD (Columbus, OH) the Geffen at MOCA (Los Angeles, CA) Denny Dimin Gallery (New York, NY) and Printed Matter (New York, NY - Brooklyn & Chelsea)
Education
2020 - University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning
Bachelors in Fine Arts, minor in Art History, & certificate in Critical Visions
Magna Cum Laude
Solo* Two** & Three*** Person Exhibitions
2022
Support Systems - SHAG (Stone House Art Gallery) Charlotte, NC**
w/ Aubrey Theobald
I witness, I Observe, I am not, I am. - Capsule Gallery - Dayton, OH *
2021
In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth G. Pearlman Gallery - Cincinnati, OH ***
w/ Aubrey Theobald & Mark Albain
2020
Image Interference. - Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH *
Dear, Sincerely, - Aviary Gallery - Jamaica Plain, MA *
2018
Not A Real Person. - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH*
Select Group Exhibitions
2022
Goodbye Summer - Float Photo Magazine
Photography & Tenderness - Wave Pool Art Center - Cincinnati, OH
Home Ave Fund - Absorb Gallery - Dayton, OH
A&D22 - Radial Gallery @ University of Dayton - Dayton, OH
Hibernacula (w/Floodcraft) - EDU gallery - Dayton, OH
On Belonging - Third Space Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Hold-Release - Artfare
Fill Your Cup - Too Tired Project
2021
Safe Travels - Study Hall Gallery at PrattMWP - Utica, NY
Notions of Home - Lucie Foundation
a labor of love - Soft Lighting Studios
Lions, Tigers, and Sustainability, OH MY - The Red Door Project - Cincinnati, OH
Wild Frictions The Politics and Poetics of Interruption - Contemporary Arts Center - Cincinnati, OH
winter 2021 open call - Esperanza Project Space
The 2020 Favorite Photo Exhibition - Lenscratch
2020
Janus - Darkside Collective
Full House - Localhost Gallery
DAAPworks 2020 - Cincinnati, OH
Liminal - Cumulus Photo
20Emerging - Gallery Q at the Out Alliance – Rochester, NY
An Art Book Affair (w/ Hot Take Press) - Beeler Gallery - Columbus, OH
Make Me Love You In 10 Jpgs Or Less - Skylab Gallery - Columbus, OH
Home-Body - Tabula Rasa Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Fresh Looks 2020 - Eastern Michigan University Galleries - Ypsilanti, MI
2019
Cincinnati Art Book Fair 2019 (w/ Hot Take Press) - The Carnegie – Covington, KY
¯_(ツ)_/¯ - The Waiting Room Gallery – Cincinnati, OH
The 2019 Dog Exhibition - Lenscratch
About Future - Millepiani - Rome, Italy
An Unclear View - Indie Grits Labs - Colombia, SC
FotoFocus Auto//Update - The Carnegie - Covington, KY.
AD 2019: Cincinnati Edition - Anytime Department - Cincinnati, OH
The Pivotal Image - Cumulus Photo
hYbRiD iNtErFeReNcE, XTUD1O, The Warehouse Studios. - Cincinnati, OH
Printed Matter L.A. Art Book Fair - The Geffen at MOCA, (w/ Hot Take Press) - Los Angeles, CA
Re-Definition - The 840 Gallery- Cincinnati, OH 2018
2018
Cincinnati Art Book Fair (w/ Hot Take Press) - The Carnegie - Covington, KY.
Power Moves - Victory Parkway Galleries - Cincinnati, OH
Objectif Obscura - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Taking Stock - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Sights & Sounds II - Glendora House - Cincinnati, OH
2017
Not Porn - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Urban Tapestry - 1628LTD - Cincinnati, OH
Sights & Sounds - Glendora House - Cincinnati, OH
Rocky’s Reels Video Art Show - DAAP Galleries - Cincinnati, OH
International Sculpture Day Art Show - Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park - Hamilton, OH
2016
At Capacity Art Show - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Awards & Activities
2022
MCACD & Culture Works - Artist Opportunity Grant
2019
Nikon Storytellers Scholarship Semifinalist
2017
Franklin Palmer & Marjorie Stewart Palmer Scholarship - University of Cincinnati
Select Publications/Bibliography
2022
Wave Pool Art Center - Photography & Tenderness catalog - Cincinnati, OH.
2021
The Third Rail Quarterly Issue 14
a labor of love - Soft Lighting Studios
2020
Potluck: Identity As. A CVSN Anthology – Cincinnati, OH.
Dear, Sincerely, - Edition of 30, Inkjet and Laser Print (Independent, published w./Hot Take Press) – Cincinnati, OH.
2019
Now What? Thoughts On Photography – Lenscratch
A Matter of Being – Quiet Pages Press – Philadelphia, PA.
Archive As Action, Exhibition catalogue for Contemporary Arts Center (w./ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
W.A.R. - (w./ Hot Take Press) Book & Poster edition, Carmen Winant - CAVE - Detroit, MI
Dear Jeff, - (w./ Hot Take Press), Nate Larson & Marni Shindelman - George Eastman Museum - Rochester, NY
2018
Let’s Get Weird Volume 2. - PZA Club - Cincinnati, OH
Disconnect - edition of 50, risograph print (Independent, published w./ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Intersection of Spaces by Hannah Brown - edition of 10, archival inkjet printed (w/ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Bad Conez by Aubrey Theobald - edition of 40, risograph print (w./ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Year/Book - Hot Take Press - Cincinnati, OH
Press
2022
Fotofocus - Photography & Tenderness - Wave Pool Art Center
Cincinnati People - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
Artswave - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
Fox19 - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
WKRC Local12 - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
2021
ilikethis art - In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth. G Pearlman Gallery @ Art Academcy Cincinnati
Undermain - In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth. G Pearlman Gallery @ Art Academcy Cincinnati
Art Forum - Wild Frictions - Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati
e-flux - Wild Frictions - - Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati
2020
ilikethisart.net - II - Basketshop Gallery
Artswave - II - - Basketshop Gallery
Basketshop Gallery - FotoFocus - II
FotoFocus - Light &
2019
FotoFocus - Auto//Update
Printed Matter - LA Art Book Fair
Professional Experience
2021 - Present
Graphic Design & Photography Media Facilities Coordinator - University of Dayton
2018- Present
Hot Take Press Design & Production Crew <3
2018-2021
Studio Photographer - Cowans/Hindman Auctions
2019
Studio & Teaching Assistant - Laura Letinsky - University of Chicago
2015-2020
Photo & Print Lab Technician - University of Cincinnati DAAP
2020 - University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning
Bachelors in Fine Arts, minor in Art History, & certificate in Critical Visions
Magna Cum Laude
Solo* Two** & Three*** Person Exhibitions
2022
Support Systems - SHAG (Stone House Art Gallery) Charlotte, NC**
w/ Aubrey Theobald
I witness, I Observe, I am not, I am. - Capsule Gallery - Dayton, OH *
2021
In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth G. Pearlman Gallery - Cincinnati, OH ***
w/ Aubrey Theobald & Mark Albain
2020
Image Interference. - Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH *
Dear, Sincerely, - Aviary Gallery - Jamaica Plain, MA *
2018
Not A Real Person. - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH*
Select Group Exhibitions
2022
Goodbye Summer - Float Photo Magazine
Photography & Tenderness - Wave Pool Art Center - Cincinnati, OH
Home Ave Fund - Absorb Gallery - Dayton, OH
A&D22 - Radial Gallery @ University of Dayton - Dayton, OH
Hibernacula (w/Floodcraft) - EDU gallery - Dayton, OH
On Belonging - Third Space Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Hold-Release - Artfare
Fill Your Cup - Too Tired Project
2021
Safe Travels - Study Hall Gallery at PrattMWP - Utica, NY
Notions of Home - Lucie Foundation
a labor of love - Soft Lighting Studios
Lions, Tigers, and Sustainability, OH MY - The Red Door Project - Cincinnati, OH
Wild Frictions The Politics and Poetics of Interruption - Contemporary Arts Center - Cincinnati, OH
winter 2021 open call - Esperanza Project Space
The 2020 Favorite Photo Exhibition - Lenscratch
2020
Janus - Darkside Collective
Full House - Localhost Gallery
DAAPworks 2020 - Cincinnati, OH
Liminal - Cumulus Photo
20Emerging - Gallery Q at the Out Alliance – Rochester, NY
An Art Book Affair (w/ Hot Take Press) - Beeler Gallery - Columbus, OH
Make Me Love You In 10 Jpgs Or Less - Skylab Gallery - Columbus, OH
Home-Body - Tabula Rasa Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Fresh Looks 2020 - Eastern Michigan University Galleries - Ypsilanti, MI
2019
Cincinnati Art Book Fair 2019 (w/ Hot Take Press) - The Carnegie – Covington, KY
¯_(ツ)_/¯ - The Waiting Room Gallery – Cincinnati, OH
The 2019 Dog Exhibition - Lenscratch
About Future - Millepiani - Rome, Italy
An Unclear View - Indie Grits Labs - Colombia, SC
FotoFocus Auto//Update - The Carnegie - Covington, KY.
AD 2019: Cincinnati Edition - Anytime Department - Cincinnati, OH
The Pivotal Image - Cumulus Photo
hYbRiD iNtErFeReNcE, XTUD1O, The Warehouse Studios. - Cincinnati, OH
Printed Matter L.A. Art Book Fair - The Geffen at MOCA, (w/ Hot Take Press) - Los Angeles, CA
Re-Definition - The 840 Gallery- Cincinnati, OH 2018
2018
Cincinnati Art Book Fair (w/ Hot Take Press) - The Carnegie - Covington, KY.
Power Moves - Victory Parkway Galleries - Cincinnati, OH
Objectif Obscura - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Taking Stock - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Sights & Sounds II - Glendora House - Cincinnati, OH
2017
Not Porn - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Urban Tapestry - 1628LTD - Cincinnati, OH
Sights & Sounds - Glendora House - Cincinnati, OH
Rocky’s Reels Video Art Show - DAAP Galleries - Cincinnati, OH
International Sculpture Day Art Show - Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park - Hamilton, OH
2016
At Capacity Art Show - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Awards & Activities
2022
MCACD & Culture Works - Artist Opportunity Grant
2019
Nikon Storytellers Scholarship Semifinalist
2017
Franklin Palmer & Marjorie Stewart Palmer Scholarship - University of Cincinnati
Select Publications/Bibliography
2022
Wave Pool Art Center - Photography & Tenderness catalog - Cincinnati, OH.
2021
The Third Rail Quarterly Issue 14
a labor of love - Soft Lighting Studios
2020
Potluck: Identity As. A CVSN Anthology – Cincinnati, OH.
Dear, Sincerely, - Edition of 30, Inkjet and Laser Print (Independent, published w./Hot Take Press) – Cincinnati, OH.
2019
Now What? Thoughts On Photography – Lenscratch
A Matter of Being – Quiet Pages Press – Philadelphia, PA.
Archive As Action, Exhibition catalogue for Contemporary Arts Center (w./ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
W.A.R. - (w./ Hot Take Press) Book & Poster edition, Carmen Winant - CAVE - Detroit, MI
Dear Jeff, - (w./ Hot Take Press), Nate Larson & Marni Shindelman - George Eastman Museum - Rochester, NY
2018
Let’s Get Weird Volume 2. - PZA Club - Cincinnati, OH
Disconnect - edition of 50, risograph print (Independent, published w./ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Intersection of Spaces by Hannah Brown - edition of 10, archival inkjet printed (w/ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Bad Conez by Aubrey Theobald - edition of 40, risograph print (w./ Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Year/Book - Hot Take Press - Cincinnati, OH
Press
2022
Fotofocus - Photography & Tenderness - Wave Pool Art Center
Cincinnati People - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
Artswave - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
Fox19 - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
WKRC Local12 - On Belonging - Third Space Gallery
2021
ilikethis art - In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth. G Pearlman Gallery @ Art Academcy Cincinnati
Undermain - In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth. G Pearlman Gallery @ Art Academcy Cincinnati
Art Forum - Wild Frictions - Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati
e-flux - Wild Frictions - - Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati
2020
ilikethisart.net - II - Basketshop Gallery
Artswave - II - - Basketshop Gallery
Basketshop Gallery - FotoFocus - II
FotoFocus - Light &
2019
FotoFocus - Auto//Update
Printed Matter - LA Art Book Fair
Professional Experience
2021 - Present
Graphic Design & Photography Media Facilities Coordinator - University of Dayton
2018- Present
Hot Take Press Design & Production Crew <3
2018-2021
Studio Photographer - Cowans/Hindman Auctions
2019
Studio & Teaching Assistant - Laura Letinsky - University of Chicago
2015-2020
Photo & Print Lab Technician - University of Cincinnati DAAP