LOVE SPOKEN HERE: IZZO

Chicago based artist Tony Izzo, known as Izzo, is the embodiment of love, energy, and creativity. When I met Izzo he was running the Izzo’s Artery Art Gallery. While a champion of other creatives, he himself is a talented multi media artist. His current work of paintings burst with layers of texture and lush vibrant color. Izzo lives with his partner of 38 years, photographer Rick Garza. Together they have traveled the world and generously hosted epic parties that resulted in at least one marriage. Friends and family are an integral part of Izzo’s life with lifelong friendships dating back to childhood. It is no surprise that he was born on Valentine’s Day.

Izzo was set to unveil his “Hearts Project” at the Clearing Branch of the Chicago Public Library in March of 2020 and then….Covid. With many public buildings closed for much of the pandemic this passion project is on pause. We talked with Izzo about the Hearts Project and all things love, including his personal artwork- Kaleidoscope of Love.

WHAT IS IZZO’S HEART PROJECT? The hearts in Izzo’s Heart Project are 8 by 10 papers with a simple heart graphic with directions to use your imagination. Anything goes- crayons, glitter, pencils, just be creative. Upon completion participants returned their heart to Izzo to include in a collected, quilt like panel for display.

Izzo grew up and still lives on Chicago’s southwest side and didn’t see a lot of art in his neighborhood. “Why is there no art around me?” he wondered. A friend mentioned the 2019 Individual Artists Program Grant opportunity through the city of Chicago. Izzo chose a heart as “all relate to the heart. Art can bring people together no matter their background. Everyone can be creative and some just need a way for this to be pulled out”. Izzo reports several hundred people participated- schools, families, children, adults, and grandmothers. “Everyone was so incredibly creative.” Izzo assembled the hearts into quilt-like panels to be exhibited at the library.

WHO TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LOVE AND WHAT DID THEY TEACH YOU? Izzo comes from an Italian family of seven. He learned a bout love in the context of his large family. “We had to find a common ground to get along. I was horribly bullied in grade school, coming home after school was my safe place.” Izzo knows the bullies learned their behavior in unhappy places. “I forgave them and decided to use that energy to touch people and make them feel special. There are many levels of love that we share in common. If we can meet in a place of love it makes all the difference.”

HOW DOES LOVE INFLUENCE YOUR ART? (WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?) “I want to introduce myself with love. Love is unconditional. I want to use art to bring all people together in a safe place. We can be different but come together”.

ANY NEWS ON WHEN THE HEART PROJECT WILL REAPPEAR? Izzo hopes his Heart Project will be safely available to view during the late summer/fall of 2021.

WHAT IS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF LOVE EXACTLY? PLEASE REMEMBER MY MOTHER WILL SEE THIS. Izzo’s work of paintings make up the Kaleidoscope of Love. “These pieces are like looking into one on many levels. The work glitters and sparkles. It’s like immersing oneself into a kaleidoscope. I want people to walk away with the positive energy of being alive. I create these using materials I already have. My inspiration comes from travel and handcrafts I’ve collected on those adventures.”

CHOOSE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY. Positivity, loving, and understanding.

LET’S PLAY MARRY, KISS, UNFOLLOW. DR. FAUCI, BRAD PITT, BERNIE SANDERS. Izzo indulged us with a PG version of this silly game. His answers: Marry Dr. Fauci, unfollow Brad Pitt, kiss Bernie Sanders. Sorry Brad!

You can follow Izzo on Instagram @Izzoizzm and on FB at IZZO. Contact him with any art inquiries at izzoizzma@gmail.com