In his semi-abstract paintings and mixed-media works, John Bailly explores the overlap between personal and national identities and reveals the forces by which our cities and ourselves are shaped and, sometimes, destroyed. As he describes: “My artwork reflects on cultural identity, especially as it relates to the manners and symbols we utilize to formulate our sense of reality.” With their mix of gestural brushstrokes and finely wrought images of human figures, maps, and urban infrastructure, Bailly’s compositions convey the ferment out of which identity is formed. In his “Civitates” series (begun 2008), he presents birds-eye views of such storied cities as Jerusalem and Troy, shown as if they are both emerging from and sinking into their surroundings. More recently, Bailly collaborated with Richard Blanco on a series inspired by his lyrical poems on home and identity.