AN E XHIB IT IO N AT P H I L A D E L P H I A’ S M AG I C G A R D E N S 1020 SO UT H S T. PH IL A D E L P H I A , PA 19147 | p h i l l y m a g i cg a r d e n s. o rg
MAY 5 - JULY 9, 2017 For p u rch a sin g i nq uiries or a g uid e d wa l k t h r o u g h o f t h e exh i b i t i o n , p l ease emai l exh ib it io n s @ p hi l l ym a g i c g a rde ns. org
FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS, ISAIAH ZAGAR has dedicated his life to collaborating with artists of different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This exhibition of textiles from across the globe offers an intimate look into the deep connection between Zagar and these artisans. This collection illustrates that artists and their works can be even stronger together than when they are apart.
Weaving the Peruvian Mountains
Peruvian Landscape
Alpaca wool weaving Unknown Artist Peru 37” x 35”
Acrylic on canvas Isaiah Zagar Philadelphia, PA, USA 24” x 24”
$1,000
NFS
Arte de Tecua I
Arte de Tecua II
Paint on dried hide Jose Segundo Cuyo Cuyo Ecuador 22” x 23”
Paint on dried hide Alfonso Cuyo Cuyo Ecuador 12” x 12”
NFS
NFS
Above: Bird Watching on Juan Diego’s Mountain
Right: Isaiah’s Patchwork Portrait
Postcard reproduction print Isaiah Zagar Philadelphia, PA, USA 4” x 6”
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Bolivia 25” x 23”
NFS
$1,000
Isaiah Constelation
Isaiah’s Inner Core
Night Isaiah
The Whole Cosmos...Invisible
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 15” x 11”
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 14” x 11”
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 15” x 11”
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 14” x 11”
$500
$500
$500
$500
Sunrise Isaiah
Third Eye Isaiah I
Third Eye Isaiah II
Emboidery and patchwork “Wilma” Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 18” x 26”
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 14” x 11”
Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 15” x 11”
$1,000
$500
$500
Isaiah Zagar’s lifelong love and appreciation of folk art began in 1963 when he and his wife Julia were enlisted in the Peace Corps to work with craftspeople in Peru. For three years, the Zagars traveled around South America meeting folk artists and influencing their art, especially in their textiles. Today, the Zagar’s continue to travel around the world and collaborate with artists to make textiles and other kinds of folk art.
First, Zagar leaves his own design with the folk artist, and then each artist interprets Zagar’s drawing in their own style. By taking certain Zagar Sees the Self Emboidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 14” x 11” $500
parts from Zagar’s work to make the fabric pieces, these artists use art as a common language, weaving together the viewpoints of two individuals and their different cultures to create work that neither artist could have made alone.
Above: Isaiah Stamp Wood Unknown Artist India 5.5” x 9” x 2.5” NFS
Left: Isaiah Incarnations
Art is the Center of the Real World
Stamped fabric Unknown Artist India 91” x 57” (7.5 ft x 4.75 ft)
Samped fabric Unknown Artist India 12” x 288” (1 ft x 24 ft)
$800
$2,000
Oaxaca Isaiah Emboidery Sonia Jacobo Espinosa Oaxaca, Mexico 12” x 15” $600
A Head of My Time
He Lives a Painted Life
Emboidery Paula Cruz Oaxaca, Mexico 45” x 37”
Emboidery Unknown Artist Oaxaca, Mexico 28” x 35”
$1,000
$1,000
Isaiah Back from China
Dream Work
Emboidery Unknown Artist Oaxaca, Mexico 45” x 36”
Emboidery Joana Cruz Oaxaca, Mexico 46” x 36”
$1,000
$1,000
“I don’t need the art establishment to make my art be seen in the world.”
-Isaiah Zagar
Since he was a young man, Zagar has been building a global artistic network. His ferocious energy and willingness to collaborate has allowed his ideas to be produced in many mediums and by many people throughout the world. Despite his impressive collection of fabric works, some are hesitant to call him a textile artist. Although these textiles have been created Oaxaca Isaiah Emboidery Sonia Jacobo Espinosa Oaxaca, Mexico 12” x 15” $1,000
by someone else, the final products contain Zagar’s distinct designs, stories, and spirit. This assortment of textiles proves how much of an impression he has made on the folk artists he has connected with, and in turn, how they influenced Zagar’s growth as an artist.
Above: Isaiah in Peruvian Patterns
Right: The Grass Roots Gallery Invitation (Detail)
Knitting with alpaca-woven yarn Unknown Artist Peru 24” x 25”
Postcard reproduction print Don Camara, photographer Philadelphia, PA, USA 5” x 7”
$1,000
NFS
Isaiah’s Folk Art
Pintor de la Brocha Grande
Paint on wood Ricardo Cuyo Ecuador 13.5” x 9”
Embroidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Bolivia 70” x 51” (7 ft x 4.25 ft)
$500
$2,000
Retrado de Arte Popular
Isaiah Puno Peru
Mix-media painting with textile and folk art doll Isaiah Zagar and Folk Artists Completed in Philadelphia, PA, USA 22” x 30”
Mix-media mosaicwith Peruvian textile Isaiah Zagar and Folk Artist Completed in Philadelphia, PA, USA 30” x 30”
$1,000
$1,000
826 South Street
Peru Six-Armed Isaiah the Builder
Etching print Isaiah Zagar Philadelphia, PA, USA 22” x 30”
Embroidery Unknown Artist Peru 26” x 36”
$500
$500
Isaiah Fixes Everything
Isaiah the General Contractor
Dream Studio
Embroidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 11” x 15”
Embroidery and patchwork Unknown Artist Sorata, La Paz, Bolivia 17” x 20”
Etching print Isaiah Zagar Philadelphia, PA, USA 22” x 30”
$500
$500
$500
visionary art environment and community arts center located in Isaiah Zagar’s largest public artwork. Spanning half a block on Philadelphia’s famous South Street, the museum includes an immersive outdoor art installation and indoor galleries. Zagar created the space using nontraditional materials such as folk art statues, found objects, bicycle wheels, colorful glass bottles, hand-made tiles, and thousands of glittering mirrors. The site is enveloped in visual anecdotes and personal narratives that refer to Zagar’s life, family, and community, as well as references from the wider visionary artists and environments. PMG is a unique Philadelphia destination that inspires creativity and community engagement by providing educational opportunities and diverse public programming to thousands of visitors each year. For more information, visit phillymagicgardens.org.