WCC NY Presents: PhoebeNewYork
West Chelsea Contemporary is proud to present PhoebeNewYork, a solo exhibition featuring over thirty new mixed-media collage works by the artist. Additional works will be on view at Empire Stores in DUMBO.
New York-based artist Libby Schoettle’s alter ego, PhoebeNewYork, comes to life through collages comprising found objects including vintage fashion magazine pages, old photographs and books, record sleeves, and pop art. Phoebe, a paper-doll like character with a distinctly round pink head and bob haircut, grapples with femininity, sexual politics, love, and independence. Schoettle reveals her own vulnerability, raw emotion, and witty observations through Phoebe’s provocative and relatable statements such as “Brave New Woman,” “Anything Could Happen,” and “ Watch Me!” From wryly dark musings to inspirational affirmations, Phoebe’s multi-faceted personality poignantly captures the contemporary moment and is imbued with the essence of New York, reflecting Schoettle’s own journey of self-discovery made possible by the magic of the city. Drawn to materials that have lived an imperfect life, having been owned and handled by others and invested with a history, the torn edges, wrinkles, and spots of Schoettle’s collage works recall memories of being in bed with a fashion magazine finding something you love and tacking it on your wall.
The intimacy of the artist’s original works are brought into the social arena as PhoebeNewYork appears on the streets, from small stickers to larger-than-life wheatpastes, of New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, London, and Berlin. In 2022, PhoebeNewYork debuted in Denmark with a mid-career retrospective of Schoettle’s work at the Horsens Kunstmuseum entitled My Paper World.
Libby and Phoebe have been featured in publications such as New York Magazine’s The Cut, Teen Vogue, JeJune, Nylon, Downtown, Citizen Brooklyn, Teeth, Glamour Italia, BlackBook Media, Glamour Espana, Philadelphia Style, and Il Fotografo; they have also been the subject of fashion collaborations with Victoria Beckham, Dr. Marten’s, Sonia Rykiel, rag & bone, and Lululemon, as well as an upcoming docuseries by Canobie Films that is slated to air in 2023.
Artists
PhoebeNY
New York-based artist Libby Schoettle’s alter ego, PhoebeNewYork, comes to life through collages comprising found objects including vintage fashion magazine pages, old photographs and books, record sleeves, and pop art. Phoebe, a paper-doll like character with a distinctly round pink head and bob haircut, grapples with femininity, sexual politics, love, and independence. Schoettle reveals her own vulnerability, raw emotion, and witty observations through Phoebe’s provocative and relatable statements such as “Brave New Woman,” “Anything Could Happen,” and “ Watch Me!” From wryly dark musings to inspirational affirmations, Phoebe’s multi-faceted personality poignantly captures the contemporary moment and is imbued with the essence of New York, reflecting Schoettle’s own journey of self-discovery made possible by the magic of the city. Drawn to materials that have lived an imperfect life, having been owned and handled by others and invested with a history, the torn edges, wrinkles, and spots of Schoettle’s collage works recall memories of being in bed with a fashion magazine finding something you love and tacking it on your wall.
About Empire Stores + West Chelsea Contemporary
West Chelsea Contemporary is a world-class gallery offering museum quality art in Austin, Texas and New York City, focusing on 20th century and contemporary art predominantly in American, Asian and European post-war movements. West Chelsea Contemporary opened in October of 2020 under the direction of Lisa Russell, who has operated this gallery since founding Russell Collection in 2002. With this gallery rebrand, her vision is for West Chelsea Contemporary to satisfy the evolved demographic and style of Austin’s culture by showcasing everything from mid-career and emerging artists to legends like KAWS, Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Shepard Fairey, Andy Warhol, Blek Le Rat, Mr. Brainwash, Fiona Rae, Roy Lichtenstein, Takashi Murakami and more. West Chelsea Contemporary clients are assisted by an expert staff dedicated to providing the highest level of service. Empire Stores is proud to work with artists across all media and creative fields. In 2017, Empire Stores opened to the public with 360,000 square feet of restaurant, retail, office, and event space. The building’s historic charm is preserved with original architectural details like the iconic brick masonry and iron-shuttered façade, schist stonewalling, and, as a nod to its heritage, coffee chutes, and hoisting wheels.