CONTACT: electronic mail
jessemlyy (at) gmail (dot) com
please get in touch for commissions, collaborations, print sales or just to say hi!
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, bookmaking, and writing to inform and expand imagery. Their work explores identity through representation, comprehension, and context in photographs via considering their transitional qualities of existence. This examines how photographic depictions may incite differentiation in presence and portrayal versus actuality.
These concepts surface in formats of self-analyzation, fixating on how Ly, those they have immediate discursive relationships with, their inhabited spaces, and objects of interaction exists through photographic imagery. By utilizing these depicting objects, a further dialog of the relationships of image-making, existence, and conceptual formulation is apprehended. By then sequencing, intervening, and examining the contextual structure of these photographs, a visual inquiry of physical, ethereal and psychological spaces become re-contextualized through the perceptions and depictions of the liminal spaces, futility, and notions imagery creates.
They have exhibited work both nationally across the United States and internationally. A selection of solo and two person exhibitions include Image Interference at Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH, Support Systems at SHAG (Stone House Art Gallery) Charlotte, NC and please remember this... at The Neon Heater - Findlay, 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 Arts Center - Covington, KY, and I Don’t Know How To Respond To That at the PhMuseum - Bologna, Italy. They are a recipient of the MCACD & Culture Works Artist Opportunity Grant, the Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council, as well as the Dayton Regional Artist Renewal Grant via the National Endowment for the Arts, and was recently named a finalist for the Aperture Portfolio Prize for 2023.
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 Arts Center (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.
jessemlyy (at) gmail (dot) com
please get in touch for commissions, collaborations, print sales or just to say hi!
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, bookmaking, and writing to inform and expand imagery. Their work explores identity through representation, comprehension, and context in photographs via considering their transitional qualities of existence. This examines how photographic depictions may incite differentiation in presence and portrayal versus actuality.
These concepts surface in formats of self-analyzation, fixating on how Ly, those they have immediate discursive relationships with, their inhabited spaces, and objects of interaction exists through photographic imagery. By utilizing these depicting objects, a further dialog of the relationships of image-making, existence, and conceptual formulation is apprehended. By then sequencing, intervening, and examining the contextual structure of these photographs, a visual inquiry of physical, ethereal and psychological spaces become re-contextualized through the perceptions and depictions of the liminal spaces, futility, and notions imagery creates.
They have exhibited work both nationally across the United States and internationally. A selection of solo and two person exhibitions include Image Interference at Basketshop Gallery - Cincinnati, OH, Support Systems at SHAG (Stone House Art Gallery) Charlotte, NC and please remember this... at The Neon Heater - Findlay, 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 Arts Center - Covington, KY, and I Don’t Know How To Respond To That at the PhMuseum - Bologna, Italy. They are a recipient of the MCACD & Culture Works Artist Opportunity Grant, the Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council, as well as the Dayton Regional Artist Renewal Grant via the National Endowment for the Arts, and was recently named a finalist for the Aperture Portfolio Prize for 2023.
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 Arts Center (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.
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
2023
please remember this... - The Neon Heater - Findlay, OH*
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 at Art Academy of Cincinnati- 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
2023
I Don’t Know How To Respond To That - PhMuseum - Bologna, Italy
Monuments to Unknown Heroes - Contemporary Arts Center - Cincinnati, OH
Alternatives Biennial: Image as Object - Ohio University Art Gallery - Athens, OH
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 at 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 College of Art and Design - 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 Arts Center – 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 - Columbia, SC
FotoFocus Auto//Update - The Carnegie Arts Center - Covington, KY.
AD 2019: Cincinnati Edition - Anytime Department - Cincinnati, OH
The Pivotal Image - Cumulus Photo
hYbRiD iNtErFeReNcE - XTUD1O at 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 Arts Center - 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
2023
Aperture Portfolio Prize Finalist
Individual Excellence Award - Ohio Arts Council
2022
Dayton Region Arts Renewal Grant - National Endowment for the Arts & Culture Works
Artist Opportunity Grant - Montgomery Country Arts and Culture District & Culture Works
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
2020 All Stars - Fotofika
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
Dayton.com - Dayton Region Arts Renewal Grant - National Endowment for the Arts & Culture Works
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 Academy Cincinnati
Undermain - In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth. G Pearlman Gallery @ Art Academy 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
Design & Production Crew - Hot Take Press <3
2023
Visiting Artist Critiquer - Senior Pathways - Art Academy of Cincinnati
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
2023
please remember this... - The Neon Heater - Findlay, OH*
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 at Art Academy of Cincinnati- 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
2023
I Don’t Know How To Respond To That - PhMuseum - Bologna, Italy
Monuments to Unknown Heroes - Contemporary Arts Center - Cincinnati, OH
Alternatives Biennial: Image as Object - Ohio University Art Gallery - Athens, OH
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 at 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 College of Art and Design - 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 Arts Center – 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 - Columbia, SC
FotoFocus Auto//Update - The Carnegie Arts Center - Covington, KY.
AD 2019: Cincinnati Edition - Anytime Department - Cincinnati, OH
The Pivotal Image - Cumulus Photo
hYbRiD iNtErFeReNcE - XTUD1O at 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 Arts Center - 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
2023
Aperture Portfolio Prize Finalist
Individual Excellence Award - Ohio Arts Council
2022
Dayton Region Arts Renewal Grant - National Endowment for the Arts & Culture Works
Artist Opportunity Grant - Montgomery Country Arts and Culture District & Culture Works
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
2020 All Stars - Fotofika
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
Dayton.com - Dayton Region Arts Renewal Grant - National Endowment for the Arts & Culture Works
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 Academy Cincinnati
Undermain - In Regards to Nostalgia - Ruth. G Pearlman Gallery @ Art Academy 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
Design & Production Crew - Hot Take Press <3
2023
Visiting Artist Critiquer - Senior Pathways - Art Academy of Cincinnati
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