Philadelphia Magic Gardens presents ‘Lost Landscapes: The ‘Skin of the Bride’ mural by Isaiah Zagar’

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens unveils Lost Landscapes: The ‘Skin of the Bride’ mural by Isaiah Zagar, a new exhibition that serves as both a tribute to Isaiah Zagar’s “Skin of the Bride” mural and an archive of the community’s attempt to protect his remarkable contribution to public art. It offers a poignant look at the process of trying to save a significant cultural artifact while looking back in time at Zagar’s creation of the lost masterpiece.

Artist Isaiah Zagar’s mural “The Skin of the Bride” adorned the walls of the former Painted Bride Art Center and is a testament to his intricate and imaginative artistic vision. Completed in the 1990s, the 7,000-square-foot mosaic reflects Zagar’s signature style with its vibrant and eclectic use of materials. When the Painted Bride Art Center placed the building up for sale in 2017, the Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens team fought tirelessly for five years in attempts to protect the mural but were ultimately unsuccessful. When the mural faced demolition in 2023, the PMG preservation team worked diligently to salvage the unique tiles and components that made up the artwork featured in ‘Lost Landscapes.’