Jesse Ly (B. 1997) is an Asian-American artist originating from Dayton OH, who now currently resides and works in Cincinnati, OH. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with minors in Art History and Critical Visions from the University of Cincinnati’s college of DAAP (2020).
Ly is a visual artist who primarily uses a photographic approach that incorporates processes of sculpture, installation, bookmaking, and writing to inform imagery. His 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 himself and those he has immediate discursive relationships with exists through photographs. By utilizing these objects, a further dialog of the relationships of image making, existence, and conceptual formulation is apprehended. Through examining these images indexical qualities, a visual exploration of physical space and objecthood exemplifies and re-contextualizes the perception and depiction of the liminal spaces imagery creates.
jessemlyy@gmail.com
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 Exhibitions
2020
Image Interference. - Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Dear, Sincerely, - Online Exhibition - Aviary Gallery - Jamaica Plain, MA
2018
Not A Real Person. - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Select Group Exhibitions
2021
Lions, Tigers, and Sustainability, OH MY - The Red Door Project - Cincinnati, OH
Wild Frictions - 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 - Ypsillanti, 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-Defin ition - 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 2 - 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
2019 - Nikon Storytellers Scholarship Semifinalist
2017 - Franklin Palmer & Marjorie Stewart Palmer Scholarship - Academic Achievement - University of Cincinnati
2015 - SkillsUSA Commercial Photography Competition
National Competition Top Ten Placement (7th place out of 50),
Ohio State Competition Winner (1st Place), Ohio Southwest Regional Winner (1st Place)
2015 - Ohio Governor’s Art Exhibition Semifi nalist
Selected Publications
2021
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, (w/Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Intersection of Spaces by Hannah Brown - edition of 10, archival inkjet print (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
2015
Crushed Zine - Cincinnati, OH
Smelly Curb Magazine, Issue #45 - Columbus, OH
Press
2020
ilikethisart.net
Artswave
Basketshop Gallery - FotoFocus
FotoFocus - Light &
2019
FotoFocus - Auto//Update
Printed Matter - LA Art Book Fair
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 Exhibitions
2020
Image Interference. - Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Dear, Sincerely, - Online Exhibition - Aviary Gallery - Jamaica Plain, MA
2018
Not A Real Person. - The 840 Gallery - Cincinnati, OH
Select Group Exhibitions
2021
Lions, Tigers, and Sustainability, OH MY - The Red Door Project - Cincinnati, OH
Wild Frictions - 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 - Ypsillanti, 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-Defin ition - 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 2 - 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
2019 - Nikon Storytellers Scholarship Semifinalist
2017 - Franklin Palmer & Marjorie Stewart Palmer Scholarship - Academic Achievement - University of Cincinnati
2015 - SkillsUSA Commercial Photography Competition
National Competition Top Ten Placement (7th place out of 50),
Ohio State Competition Winner (1st Place), Ohio Southwest Regional Winner (1st Place)
2015 - Ohio Governor’s Art Exhibition Semifi nalist
Selected Publications
2021
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, (w/Hot Take Press) - Cincinnati, OH
Intersection of Spaces by Hannah Brown - edition of 10, archival inkjet print (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
2015
Crushed Zine - Cincinnati, OH
Smelly Curb Magazine, Issue #45 - Columbus, OH
Press
2020
ilikethisart.net
Artswave
Basketshop Gallery - FotoFocus
FotoFocus - Light &
2019
FotoFocus - Auto//Update
Printed Matter - LA Art Book Fair