05/03/2026
Created by artist Dessa Kirk, Magdalene is a striking "living sculpture" that transforms industrial scrap into a symbol of grace.
The figure is welded together from discarded 1970s Cadillac car parts, specifically hoods and fenders. For Kirk, using these materials was a way to reclaim the Cadillac—often associated with power and exploitation—and turn it into something dignified.
The sculpture’s lower half is a metal lattice designed to act as a trellis, allowing vines and flowers to grow through it and create a "living dress" that changes with the seasons.
The piece explores themes of faith and nature, drawing parallels to the Greek myth of Daphne, who transformed into a tree to find protection. By blending cold, recycled steel with vibrant greenery, the artwork serves as a reminder of resilience and the ability to find beauty in unexpected places.
It has become one of Chicago’s most beloved "hidden gems," often overlooked by tourists but cherished by locals who watch her garden skirt bloom every summer.
You can find Magdalene in a small triangular garden at the intersection of South Michigan Avenue and East Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Parkway). It sits at the western edge of Grant Park, just a short walk south from the Art Institute of Chicago.
