Paying Tribute: Tony Fitzpatrick Creates Mural For Steppenwolf
WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with artist Tony Fitzpatrick to talk about the mural he created for Steppenwolf Theatre’s new Arts & Education Center.
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“One of things I used to say to Martha was, ‘how do I navigate this, am I an artist who also acts? Or am an actor who also makes art?’ And she goes, ‘dear heart, it’s not binary, you don’t have to chose one or another, nobody is going to come and break your legs, unlike your former pursuits’. And damn, those remarks kind of set me free.” - Tony Fitzpatrick talking about his love and admiration for former Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey.
(Left) Artists Danny Torres and Tony Fitzpatrick
One of Chicago’s most celebrated visual artists has created a new piece of public art to be part of Steppenwolf Theater’s expanding Lincoln Park campus. The giant mural titled “Night and Day in the Garden of All Other Ecstasies” comes from acclaimed artist, actor and writer Tony Fitzpatrick. People making their way south on Halstead approaching North Avenue have already caught a glimpse of the new work which sits on the southwest wall adjacent to Steppenwolf’s in development Arts and Education Center, which is expected to open later this fall. The 12-foot-high by 76-foot-long mural is a tribute to someone Fitizpatrick considers a mentor and friend, Martha Lavey. The former Steppenwolf artistic director passed away in 2017.
Former Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey
“It’s something that Martha said to me years ago, and it’s rattled around in my head like a baby in a boxcar.” - Tony Fitzpatrick describing the origins of the mural’s title, Night and Day in the Garden of All Other Ecstasies.
Night and Day in the Garden of All Other Ecstasies.
