Urban Explorer photographer Isaac Wright is known for jumping and scrambling to capture breathtaking high-altitude images. But the biggest splash came from the opening night of his comeback solo show in May, showing him being bundled into a police car by four NYPD officers.
They stormed the Robert Mann Gallery in Chelsea and chased him away in front of a shocked gallery crowd of 400.
The next day, a police spokesman confirmed that Wright, a former paratrooper known as “Drifter,” was charged with a third-degree criminal offense, a class B misdemeanor under New York state law. They also said he was no longer in custody.
However, Wright told Artnews The charges will be dropped on Wednesday after he completes five months of court-ordered treatment to avoid further prosecution.
“I am extremely grateful for the way the courts and the NYPD handled the situation and all those who supported my opening in New York City and beyond,” he said. “I am extremely grateful for the respect shown to my person and artistry throughout this process and am grateful that my goals masked any threats that may have been perceived.
Robert Mann, owner of the eponymous gallery, told Artnews: “I am delighted with the outcome of Isaac’s case and encouraged by how many buildings he has now invited him to take photos from within the structure.”
Wright’s exhibition, titled “Coming Home,” is his first solo gallery show in New York City. It marks his return to the art world, four months after being locked up in December 2020 for illegally climbing three buildings in Cincinnati. Police searched several states and shut down a highway to catch him. “Despite what happened, the show ended up being great,” he said.
The photographer previously told Artnews His work helps him deal with mental health issues: “I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2023. After leaving the military, I also struggled with PTSD, depression, and mania. After what I went through with the police in Arizona, I fell into such a difficult experience. I started going through a traumatic experience. Photography was like catharsis.
Wright’s “Coming Home” is currently on display in Las Vegas at the Freyboy Art Salon in partnership with Robert Mann Gallery. It runs until October 25th.
