Urban explorer and photographer Isaac Wright, known for his daring high-altitude shots, was arrested during the opening of his first solo exhibition, “Coming Home,” at Robert Mann Gallery in Chelsea on Thursday night, per artnews.com. Witnesses described a dramatic scene as four NYPD officers stormed the gallery just before 8 pm, detaining Wright in front of stunned attendees.
The NYPD later confirmed Wright, who goes by the professional moniker “Drift,” was charged with third-degree criminal trespassing—a class B misdemeanor—but has since been released. The arrest reportedly stemmed from an undercover officer signaling to police after observing Wright inside the gallery.
Edward Zipco, co-founder of Superchief Gallery NYC & LA, told reporters a suspicious woman had been “lurking” before the arrest, leading some to speculate she was an undercover operative. Fellow urban explorer Vitaliy Raskalov criticised the police’s timing, saying, “They could’ve called him or gone to his house. Arresting him at his own show just makes people hate the police even more.”
Wright, a former paratrooper turned controversial artist, gained fame for scaling skyscrapers and bridges, including New York’s Queensboro Bridge. His past includes a four-month jail stint in 2020 for illegal climbs in Cincinnati. Despite legal troubles, his work surged in value during the NFT boom, reportedly earning him millions.
Robert Mann Gallery founder Robert Mann called the opening a “huge success” despite the arrest, praising Wright’s boundary-pushing vision. The exhibition remains open, inviting viewers to witness the art that continues to challenge conventions—and the law.
•Featured image: And When We Will Die It Will Feel Like This’ – one of Wright’s photos from his show at Robert Mann Gallery/Courtesy Robert Mann Gallery
