Save the date!!! April 25, 2026 4PM -6PM is the artist talk and interactive conversation on the “Attributes of Love” at Creative Grounds in Washington D.C. RSVP to save your spot. This is the next activation during the solo exhibition “I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love” on display until May 26. The is an LGBTQI mixer coming during Black Pride weekend as well so stay tuned for more details.
Grateful
This past weekend my first solo exhibition in Washington D.C. opened at @creativegroundsdc
Thanks to Jarvis Dubois one of my closest friends for literally decades and Asmara (the owner of the art space) for the massive assist on the installation of the work. We hung the fck out of this show.
Thanks to all who came out, those who opened the hearts, minds and wallets. Those who posed for the portraits and the community of folk who have shared their reflections on the attributes of love.
The show is open until May 26 and the artist talk and Memorial Day Weekend Black Pride event dates will be announced shortly.
Special thanks to the @icp media lab staff for all your help as I was printing the work. #collecting #collecringphotography #collectingphotobooks #photobooks #lgbtq
“Josh and Jarred, To Honor Powerful Men”, 2025 Harlem, NY. This Sunday March 1 from 2PM-5PM join us for the opening reception of my solo exhibition “I Do Think It’s Not Asking Too Much for You to Love” ICP Creative Practices class of ‘25 alum Ricky Day at @creativegroundsdc located at 1822 North Capitol Street NW Washington D.C. 20002. Pull up and with us for awhile. Spread the word and tell a friend. The show is up March - May 26. #collecting #collecringphotography #collectingphotobooks #photobooks #lgbtq
Join us at the opening of Harlem, New York based Lens artist, Ricky Day’s (@rickyday )debut of “ I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love…”, a collection inspired by the “ingredients of love” as defined by bell hooks.
This exhibition weaves together portraiture, still life, collage, and personal reflections from the Attributes of Love and Love Like This series to explore Black love, homeplace, resilience, and liberation across romantic, platonic, and familial bonds.
Favorite quote moment inspired by this collection and my adoration for bell hooks, “ to be loving, we willingly hear the others truth, and most important we affirm the value of truth telling…” 😰
Join us on March 1st, 2PM-5PM.
Creative Grounds DC
1822 North Capitol Street NW DC 20002
flowers (for those willing to love)
pettles open
in the presence
of honest and open
communication
foundational firmament
fertile ground
on which to plant
recognition of needs and desires
a commitment
to tend
to what we’ve planted
builds trust
nurtures respect
causes blossoms to bloom
over time
care
comes naturally
and affection
signals the harvest
seeds spread
saplings grow
the circle continues
nikki said
“I do think it’s not asking too much
for you to love…”
I say,
asé
- 2026 ricky day. #collecting #collecringphotography #collectingphotobooks #photobooks #lgbtq
February 19, 2026:
Creative Grounds D.C. @creativegroundsdc is proud to present: I Do Think It’s Not Asking Too
Much for You to Love…”,
a solo exhibition of new and existing work by Harlem, New York, lens-based artist Ricky Day.
The exhibition features photographs and text from his portrait series “Attributes of Love” and “Love Like This.” The show also includes work specifically crafted for inclusion in this exhibition.
The show, inspired by the writings of the late feminist scholar and cultural critic bell hooks is a rumination on the ingredients of love (care, affection, recognition, respect, trust, commitment and honest and open communication), as well as the importance of the building of both a metaphysical and literal homeplace as acts of resistance and liberation for Black people.
The exhibition will be on display from March 1 – May 26. Opening reception March 1, 2PM- 5PM. More programming and special events to be announced soon.
"A society that is committed to a cultural construct is more vital today than at any point in our collective history. When one takes into account the loveless politics, it is easy to dismiss those who embrace love as weak or out of touch. However, in my work, I thoughtfully observe the quiet and profound strength necessary to tap into love as an unlimited wellspring of healing and restoration."
When the world is full of ‘hatred’ and everyone is looking for something recent and adventurous, Ricky’s ‘Attributes of Love’ is a counter narrative of that statement. Through his ongoing conceptual work, he touches the profound truth of spiritualism – Love as the only path of acceptance and humility. He believes only love can create a tender and nourishing society where the resonance of humanity vibrates inside every living entity.
Attributes of Love transcends the politics of body and gender, the rigidity of religious doctrines, the divisive construct of race and colour. It is a visual journey of Ricky Day where invisible becomes visible - a narrative of ‘Love’ where everyone can discover a sense of warm, cozy and welcoming ‘Home’.
#documentaryphotographer #photojournalist #pridemonth🌈 #ɪɴsᴛᴀᴘᴏsᴛ #indpc35
Attention all you amazing humans. I am merging my RickyDayStudio IG feed into personal IG feed. Effective immediately. Please, please, please follow me @rickyday if you aren’t already as that will soon be the only place to see new work, new press, and upcoming exhibitions. Thank you so much and please tell a friend.
“How do you write a poem about someone so close to you that when you say ahhh they say chuuu?” 2025, Inkjet print on Baryta Photographique II. From the series “Attributes of Love”
Affection is one of the ingredients necessary for love to be present. Affection occurs in platonic and familial relationships as well as romantic ones. These are friends so close that to the unknowing eye they could be mistaken for lovers. Have you showed affection for a dear friend lately? Fck what anyone thinks. Lean into love.
Special thanks to Kalvin and Jeff for sitting for this portrait and living your lives out loud as brothers and friends. Your humanity is a treasure and your love as friends is a gift.
“Speaking our truth, sharing our inner struggles, and revealing our raw edges— is sacred activity.” 2025, inkjet print on Bayrta Photographique II, from the series “Attributes of Love.”
Special thanks to Elle for sitting for this portrait and living your truth. Your courage is inspiring. To quote Donnie Hathaway “Someday We’ll All Be Free.”
“To spin a soft Black song is to exist in transcendent joy.” 2024 @jamaridarling by @rickyday for @rickydaystudio from the series “Attributes of Love” #portrait #portraitphotography #portraiture “ICP
