Bailly considers both the large contemporary metropolis and cities of the past with meticulous imagery, historical references and visual elements from maps, streets and buildings to reframe our idea of the city. Referencing Troy, Mexico City, Rome, and Paris Bailly shows new ways to see the metropolis when its physical, commercial, and cultural frontiers no longer have easily identifiable boundaries. Bailly’s work often incorporates multiple views of a single city to reflect the multiple voices and perceptions through the city’s history. His paintings invite us to make connections through the historical references the artist incorporates and project them to our own realm.

He uses the newly unearthed archaeology of the Tequesta Indian Settlement on the Miami River to link Miami to its roots and ground our idea of who we have become.