Artist Ma Ly will have his Kamala Harris portrait returned to the Big Fresno Fair arts exhibit. The fair initially disqualified it and removed it from competition. (GV Wire/David Taub)
- Ma Ly returned his art to the Big Fresno Fair's exhibit space.
- The fair initially disqualified his portrait of VP Kamala Harris from the annual arts competition.
- Fair officials said the DQ was a mistake. Ly wondered if there was a political motive behind it.
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Ma Ly is ready to move on.
The Fresno artist and teacher submitted an acrylic portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris for the annual Big Fresno Fair art contest. By mistake — the fair admitted — it was disqualified from the annual competition and taken off display in the Fine Arts building.
On Tuesday, Big Fresno Fair interim CEO Christina Estrada met with Ly, apologizing. The Harris portrait was returned to the fairgrounds, where it will be displayed for the rest of the fair.
“I’m pleased to have met Christina to clear this misunderstanding. And now we have to move on. I’d be glad to advise about the future of this show and what can be done to improve this exhibition,” Ly said.
Estrada told Ly that fair employees made a “bad judgment call,” to disqualify the art. Ly said he was told the portrait broke the rules for using a copyrighted photograph.
Ly explained that he hadn’t copied a photo and questioned whether the disqualification occurred because of the political subject. Harris is the Democratic presidential nominee running against Republican former President Donald Trump.
Related Story: Big Fresno Fair Rejected Kamala Harris Portrait in Art Contest: Artist
Art Matters
Ly said displaying art at the Big Fresno Fair matters because of the size of the venue.
“You’re not going to find a big room anywhere in Fresno. That’s what I encourage artists to do once a year. Your work will be seen by hundreds of people. So exposure and potential clients. And that’s the best way to network and get your name out there,” Ly said.
Although the art is restored to the exhibit, it is too late for Ly to win the $150 top prize for his category. Judging took place before the fair even started. But not all is lost. Ricardo Solis, the winner for advanced artist in the acrylic category, is a Ly student.
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