View of Cary Leibowitz: *Wishing Well*, 2023, installed in the RL Window, from the High Line at 26th Street. Courtesy of the artist and RYAN LEE Gallery, New York.

Written by Mandi Smith

Copy Edited by Robyn Hager

Photo Edited by Dani Stein

“This wishing well is ready-made and immediate—along with that it’s fragile and temporary, it does not have water. The cardboard figures are hero’s/heroines/lifesavers/me/we/ I desperately need but they are also cardboard copies and tip over too easily.”

– Cary Leibowitz

In New York City, at the heart of the Chelsea Art District, if you find yourself looking up from the High Line at 26th Street, you might see what appears to be an installation of a swimming pool, containing some rather prominent figures, that the infamous, self professed “Candyass,” Cary Leibowitz designed. The artist's latest display incorporates a different style, but he always has a lot to say, and this installation is no exception. His work is typically characterized by bright colors, self-deprecating prose, and trademarked by his moody charm. His witty musings often focus on issues pertaining to identity, language, and pop culture, and he often incorporates these themes into the blurbs that end up accompanying his installations. Today, the artist Cary Liebowitz is considered one of the leading figures in the contemporary art world because of his honest and humanistic approach. His most memorable pieces include gimmicky quotes, such as “Don’t Steal My Car Stereo, I’m Queer,” and “They only put up with me because I’m colorful”.

The artist frees these inner soliloquies that come out in a childish scrawl that feature sarcastic quips and delightfully funny observations about the author's Jewish and queer identity. Liebowitz demonstrates a prowess for humor, and possesses the ability to produce unique and remarkable artwork that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. His style has a unique way of crossing barriers and embracing a wide range of artistic styles. His prose stands out by its essence as confessional, irreverent, satirical, and, dare I say, poignant.

His most recent piece, "Wishing Well," does not include any further text, and elevates his aesthetic talents to a double-entendre-filled show on view for all of New York City. He has placed heroes and heroines in plain sight to connect with the masses and thus provide context and inspiration to all of his work. A number of inspirational personalities are portrayed here including Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the Statue of Liberty, Mahatma Gandhi, Anne Frank, Michelle and Barack Obama, and President Biden, as well as his own personal heroes Fran Drescher, Elvis Presley, and Judy Garland.

While never departing from his signature comedic tone, his choice to include the famous “meme” image of Senator Bernie Sanders in his mask and mittens is a testament to his style as an artistic troll, using pop culture references to flavor the aesthetic. Although Liebowitz frequently incorporates his witty and satirical quotes about present-day society into his work, the humble masterpiece he presents at the Ryan Lee Gallery does not rely on such elements, and maintains an original and distinctive style. He titled his most recent piece "Wishing Well,” as a reference to the duality it holds, symbolizing both the desire for the people of New York City to thrive, and the struggle of attempting to achieve our aspirations while caught up in a daydream.

If you wish to view the latest installation by Cary Leibowitz at the Ryan Lee Gallery, it is situated West of 26th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. The gallery concentrates its efforts on showcasing a wide range of contemporary artists who are experts in painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art.