A well-known Fresno artist said the Big Fresno Fair rejected his submission of a painting of Vice President Kamala Harris in an art competition.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the art community, respecting the artist,” Ma Ly told GV Wire.

Ly said judges rejected his portrait of the Democratic presidential nominee, believing it did not qualify because it used a copyrighted photograph. The Big Fresno Fair’s art handbook said entries must be original work, saying copies will not be accepted.

He said that was not true.

“It’s the combination of different pictures, with my interpretation,” Ly — pronounced “lee” — said. He said the Big Fresno Fair never told him what picture he allegedly copied.

“Because that portrait doesn’t exist,” Ly said.

Ly posited an alternate theory.

“I can only think that they made a political statement, you don’t want any, in this case, a Democratic figure in the Fair,” Ly said. “I personally believe she would be a good president and I wanted to try to display that through a portrait.”

Ly only learned his painting was missing when others told him it was not on display. He said the fair did not successfully contact him.

The Big Fresno Fair’s Response

After publication of the story, the Big Fresno Fair responded.

Christina Estrada, Interim CEO, sent this response to GV Wire. Estrada said, “after careful review, it has been determined that the Fine Arts volunteer committee misinterpreted entry guidelines for his submission and the Fair is taking steps to correct this for the future. The Fair sincerely apologizes for this oversight. We have reached out to Mr. Ly to invite him to display his artwork for the remainder of the Fair, effective today, but have not yet connected directly with him. We value the many volunteers who annually help to ensure the success of our Fair and equally value all those who choose to enter our competitive exhibits each year. Mr. Ly’s longstanding involvement in our Fine Arts competitive exhibits is greatly appreciated, as is his understanding in this matter.”

Ly’s Work Seen Around Town

Among Ly’s works around town, he painted a portrait of President Barack Obama — commissioned by the Fresno County Office of Education — and a Fresno State-commissioned portrait of former university president Joseph Castro. His work has also been displayed at Fresno City Hall.

Ly teaches art at his Fresno studio. He has won the Big Fresno Fair art competition before. He usually works in landscapes.

Referring to the Handbook

Art contests are divided between advanced and beginner artists. Each group has 17 sub-categories. Ly entered his Harris painting in the acrylic paint category.

The Big Fresno Fair Fine Arts handbook details rules about submissions, such as size and displays. Entries cost $12 each, with prizes up to $150 for first place.

The handbook also discusses disqualifications.

“The Big Fresno Fair reserves the right to exclude any entry that is deemed not to be in the best interest of the Fair for exhibition,” the handbook said. It does not detail what the best interest is.

If a work is disqualified, the handbook states, there will be no refunds of entry fees, and awards may be subject to forfeiture.

“No exceptions,” the handbook says in all caps.

The handbook does not provide for an appeal process.

“I don’t think it’s fair … it’s a vague excuse because (the handbook said) we reserve the right to exclude any entry that is not deemed to be in the best interest of the fair, but there’s very broad,” Ly said.

Ly said that if political figures are not allowed, that should be stated in the handbook.

Next year, he plans to submit a portrait of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.