Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens creator Isaiah Zagar has died
WHYY • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Isaiah Zagar, renowned for his exterior tile mosaics that transformed Philadelphia neighborhoods, died at 86 from complications of heart failure and Parkinson’s disease.
- He was the creator of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, an immersive art environment made from found objects, which solidified his reputation for ambitious and eccentric art.
- Zagar was deeply committed to his art, working daily despite health challenges, and was known for projects like the mosaic-wrapped Painted Bride Art Center, which was demolished in 2023 after a court battle.
- His son, Jeremiah Zagar, documented Isaiah's life and struggles with mental health and Parkinson’s in the 2008 film "In a Dream," highlighting art as a vital means of survival for him.
