If I were to relate my current artistic practice to that of a tree, observational drawing is the root. From 2018 onwards, I nurtured the simple medium pairing of graphite and paper. Within this period I have created a literal few thousand life drawings. Part of my practice is selecting some of these to inform three dimensional designs in metal and wood. Following schematics, I fabricate conceptual studies of my observational nature. The methodical planning behind my sculptures juxtaposes their spontaneously produced reference drawings.
Cognition is a perception of the present. Various stimuli, such as bodily senses, thoughts, emotions, and impulses, are imposed upon the conscious mind at any given moment. Internal experiences are the counterpart of observational artwork. By studying their relationship I reveal the qualities of both.
I have an Attention-Neuro Divergence (AND), medically diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). My artwork is didactic in its departure from generalized preconceptions. Creation empowers me with a means to describe my unique subliminal disposition. The love of learning leads me to explore self-expression through various artistic media and techniques.
Cory Levy is a New York-based fine artist and craftsman working in a wide range of visual media. He grew up in Sayville, NY, a quiet community off the southern shore of Long Island. Living amongst the ocean, flourishing vegetation and indigenous wildlife cultivated a boundless curiosity. Playful exploration fulfilled a desire to learn. He studied stones, fossils, and relics from the sea.
An automotive design course at the College for Creative Studies, Detroit in 2014 was Levy’s formal introduction to art education. Students there were encouraged to make vehicle concepts out of abstract shapes. As an alternative, he fixated on the variations of light, color and texture found on blank paper sheets then arranged these areas with drawn linework. This method was later coined Emphasis as it rendered observed subtleties into profound sculptural billows. Two years later, the Heckscher Museum in Huntington, NY exhibited Charcoal Emphasis: Unforeseen Reign of Steel 2016.
Cory Levy attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City (2016-2020) and earned a BFA in Illustration. The artist became captivated by classical realism, but was outpaced by classmates in replicating its respective techniques. Aversion led to a realization. He accepted an inclination to draw continually with observed movement rather than being confined to static imagery. Documenting his life experience with pencil on paper became an undying priority. By 2018 Levy learned to weld. His life drawings then became schematics for steel components. In January 2020, Denise Bibro included Glassesman 2019 at “Art From the Boros VII” in Chelsea, NY.
From June of the same year till April 2026, Cory Levy worked at Atta Inc. and practiced the multi-facet process of resin casting and finishing. He produced custom furniture pieces and large-scale sculptures for prestigious artists and institutions. Some of these are the Museum of Natural History NYC, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and Fred Eversley. Currently he works as a carpenter for historical building restoration specialist, Morning Star Construction. At the same time he is planning the public sculpture installation of Pink and Purple Accretion in coalition with NYC Parks Art and Antiquities. He is also in development of a free-standing interactive display that bridges his fabrication skill-set and life drawing practice.