Melissa Ling was born and raised in New York City to parents who emigrated from China. She received her BFA from Pratt Institute. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and the Philippines, including Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Philadelphia, PA; First Street Gallery, New York; Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York; Blanc Gallery, Philippines.

She has been an invited guest at Pratt Institute, as well as a visiting professor at Parsons School of Design. She will be a part of the Project Studio Residency Program at Painting Space 122 from 2023-24.