Cole Levi-Crouch is a New York-based self-taught artist whose paintings transform chaos into theater. Rooted in surrealism and contemporary satire, his work unravels the contradictions of modern life through imagery that feels both absurd and precise. Planes sprout wings of birds, lions cling to superheroes, clouds speak in slogans, and humor becomes a coping mechanism for existential disarray.
Born and raised in New York City, Levi-Crouch approaches painting as both confession and commentary. His process is intuitive, guided by curiosity about the psychological states that define our era. His compositions are populated with recurring motifs of flight, collapse, and self-awareness, capturing the tension between absurdity and insight. He paints as if chronicling the moment before meaning dissolves, allowing comedy and crisis to share the same frame.
Through his surreal narratives, he asks how we maintain identity in a culture addicted to spectacle. Each canvas feels like a mirror held up to the collective psyche, reflecting our attempts to stay aloft amid contradiction. His work has appeared in group exhibitions across the United States, where it has been praised for its wit, urgency, and visual clarity.
Currently Exhibiting in: Brooklyn, NY
Instagram: @coleslawter
Featured Artwork at Bushwick Gallery
Title: I’m a bird, I’m a plane, I’m mentally insane
Year of Creation: 2025
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 40 × 40 in
Edition Type: Unique, 1 of 1
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Price: $2,500
Description
I’m a bird, I’m a plane, I’m mentally insane explodes like a fever dream against a clear blue sky. Figures, animals, and text emerge from clouds that double as both image and thought. Superman and a lion streak through the air beside a winged jet marked “Super.” Balloons, angels, and smoke signals spell the words of a mind unraveling yet still performing its own spectacle.
The painting’s humor is immediate, but its gravity lingers. Levi-Crouch layers irony with sincerity, revealing the fragility beneath bravado. The cloud writing—equal parts graffiti and cry for help—turns the atmosphere into a diary of anxiety and resilience. His use of acrylics is dense and tactile, giving the sky itself a sculptural presence.
This is not parody but prophecy. The work speaks to the cultural moment of overstimulation, where fantasy and distress coexist in constant negotiation. Levi-Crouch paints the psychology of a world that laughs through collapse and searches for hope in the absurd.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Title: Vivid Force: The Power of Bold Color
Curated by: Michael O’Malley
Theme: Vivid Force celebrates color as an instrument of intensity and truth. Each artist uses saturation to amplify emotion, exploring how hue becomes both message and momentum.
Exhibition Dates: November 13 – November 20, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 13 / 6 PM – 8 PM
Private Showings and Events: Invite-only throughout the week