Ly was born in Hà Tiên – a small town in the Vietnamese province of Kiên Giang – and is of Chinese descent. He grew up in France and previously lived in China before settling in Hong Kong.
The series captures “hutong,” narrow alleys in Beijing, “lilong,” long lanes connecting terraced houses in Shanghai, “tongli,” canals in Jiangsu, and Xiguan – a historic area in Guangzhou.
Ly told HKFP that he is interested in photography that combines social commentary with an individual artistic style; landscapes that indicate history, while also hinting at “a future yet to come.”
Ly told HKFP: “‘Live in Alley’ is aimed at captur[ing] the atmosphere, lifestyle and community of one of the most iconic architectural urban fabrics in China.”
“This series [is] intended above all as a testament to a traditional past, a non-city dwellers neighbourhood atmosphere, and a place of remembrance,” he told HKFP.
“Houses mainly [house] working class people, [who are] materialistically defined as poor. The living condition of the past by today’s standard is known to be tightly spaced, unsanitary and deprived of basic resources,” Ly told HKFP.
“Walking through the alleys, the feeling of friendliness and happiness of the community shines above all, the place gives a strong sense of community.”
