Elizabeth “Libby” Schoettle’s alter ego of PhoebeNewYork first appeared in sticker form on the streets of Manhattan in 2015, stealing hearts and drawing the attention of city code inspectors. Slowly but surely, through her sharp declarations of independence that aimed right for the heart, she developed a devoted local base and through constant communication on Instagram, found an ever-growing national and international following. Over time, she was invited to display and sell her work inside and outside local business, to be followed by shows in New York City galleries, then welcomed to showcase Phoebe in museums both in the United States and overseas. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham teamed up with Schoettle to have Phoebe give her street cred in launching a new advertising campaign, helping introduce both to new audiences. Throughout this time, Schoettle has run a website where PhoebeNewYork fans could purchase stickers, original collage art, prints, greeting cards and, finally, t-shirts.
Canobie Films is in the process of finishing work on “Bemused,” a documentary on PhoebeNewYork and beginning this May, you can see PhoebeNewYork at the Newport Art Museum in “Pray/Pretend,” a cross-generational exhibition exploring how imagination shapes identity from childhood through adulthood that will also include work by Gerry Perrino, Eric Telfort, Entang Wiharso, Christina Pell, Saberah Malik and Rick Lazes. Having been following the adventures of PhoebeNewYork since 2016, Artscope Magazine’s managing editor, Brian Goslow, was excited to finally have the opportunity to interview Elizabeth “Libby” Schoettle about the adventures of PhoebeNewYork and her showing in New England.
I FIRST LEARNED OF PHOEBENEWYORK THROUGH AN INSTAGRAM #STREETART POST, WHERE A SMALL PHOEBE STOOD NEXT TO “LOVE IS LOUDER” IN PINK, LIPSTICK-COLORED PAINT ON A STREET POLE. I WAS INSTANTLY ENTHRALLED AND THRILLED TO DISCOVER THE LARGER COLLECTION OF PHOEBES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY, AS WELL AS THOSE AVAILABLE ON YOUR WEBSITE. WHAT WAS THE ORIGIN OF PHOEBENEWYORK, AND WHERE DID SHE FIRST APPEAR?
“Phoebe” first appeared in an unexpected moment while I was working on something else. I remember seeing a shape I had cut, and what resembled an eye on it. It’s hard to explain, but in my mind, I saw a face. Then I drew a tiny mouth under the eye — suddenly, a profile appeared. Early Phoebe had a squarish, almost prehistoric-looking head, but I knew it was something. I kept drawing and cutting this shape until, years later, her head evolved into the Phoebe we know today.
SINCE THEN, I’VE SEEN PHOEBE APPEAR ON LIGHT POLES AND OTHER STREET-LEVEL SPACES VIA YOUR INSTAGRAM, THEN OUTSIDE BUSINESSES, INSIDE CAFÉS AND COFFEE SHOPS, AND EVENTUALLY IN GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS. DOES LOCATION AFFECT WHICH PHOEBE — OR WHICH MESSAGE — GETS INSTALLED?
That’s a good question. I would say no, since most of the messages I use point toward something fun or positive. They tend to work in most settings — it’s more about the mood. I like to try new pieces, so it becomes exploratory in how I approach a space, and also in seeing what resonates with others.