Urban explorer photographer Isaac Wright has announced that all criminal charges against him will be dropped following his high-profile arrest by the New York Police Department during the opening of his first solo gallery show in May. Wright was initially charged with criminal trespassing in the third degree, a class B misdemeanor under New York State law, but completed five months of court-ordered therapy to avoid further prosecution.
The dramatic arrest occurred during the opening night of Wright's exhibition "Coming Home" at Robert Mann Gallery in Chelsea, where police detained the artist in front of approximately 400 gallery visitors. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed the day after the incident that Wright faced criminal trespassing charges related to his unauthorized photography work. Wright believes the arrest was triggered by his photograph "Empire State of Mind" (2024), which he captured from the top of the Empire State Building and was featured in the Robert Mann Gallery exhibition.
Expressing gratitude for the resolution, Wright stated, "I am very thankful to the court and NYPD for how the situation was handled and to all those who supported my opening in New York City and beyond. I feel an immense amount of gratitude for the respect that was shown for my personhood and artistry throughout the process, and thankful that what I've aimed to create universally has overshadowed any threat that may have been perceived."
Wright has built his reputation as a photographer who specializes in capturing breathtaking, high-altitude images by jumping fences and climbing skyscrapers without permission. His daredevil approach to photography has previously landed him in legal trouble, including a four-month incarceration in December 2020 for illegally climbing three structures in Cincinnati. During that incident, police conducted a multi-state search and shut down a highway to apprehend him.
The photographer has been open about how his art serves as therapy for his mental health struggles. Wright revealed that he was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder in 2023 and has battled PTSD, depression, and mania following his military service. "I was also struggling with PTSD, depression, and mania after coming out of the army. It got a lot worse after what I went through with the police in Arizona, when they shut down the highway to arrest me," Wright explained. "That was such a traumatic experience. I started experiencing memory loss. I started experiencing fluctuating moods."
Despite the dramatic circumstances surrounding the gallery opening, Wright's exhibition proved commercially successful. "The show ended up selling really well, despite what happened," he noted. Gallery owner Robert Mann expressed satisfaction with the case's outcome, telling ARTnews, "I'm delighted with the outcome of Isaac's case and encouraged by how many buildings are now inviting him to photograph from their structures."
The "Coming Home" exhibition, which marked Wright's return to the art world after his legal troubles, is currently on display in Las Vegas at Freyboy Art Salon through a partnership with Robert Mann Gallery. The show will run until October 25, giving West Coast audiences an opportunity to view Wright's dramatic urban photography. Wright emphasized the therapeutic nature of his work, stating, "Photography is like catharsis. When I'm actively out creating something, it completely switches my brain off. That's the best thing."
