Carl Leck's Optical Illusions Transform Urban Spaces in Indianapolis

Carl Leck, also known as CBL Imagery, creates large-scale trompe-l'œil murals that manipulate perspective and deceive the eye, turning blank walls into portals to other dimensions. Based in Indianapolis, he holds degrees in graphic design and fine arts from Ball State University. His iconic works include a 27-square-meter mural for the 100th edition of the Indianapolis 500 and a massive 3D illusion at Lucas Oil Stadium, which appear to open gaps in the structures themselves. In neighborhoods like Broad Ripple Village, his three-dimensional geometries serve as backdrops for photos and casual encounters, converting urban areas into open-air galleries. Commercial projects, such as those for Jiffy Lube in Indianapolis, feature iridescent bird feathers emerging from walls, dreamy interpretations of The Wizard of Oz, and giant gummy bear caves visible from the highway. Leck approaches his craft with meticulous precision, using clay models or photographic studies to analyze real-world light and shadow before scaling them monumentally. His art challenges conventional street art by inviting viewers to look beyond graffiti, creating windows into impossible realms.