Born in Italy, Virginio Ferrari came to Chicago in the 1960s, and he blossomed into an internationally sought-after sculptor. The artist recently turned 80 years old. “Chicago Tonight” visited him in his Bridgeport studio on the eve of what promises to be another big year for him.

Phil Ponce: You’ve seen his abstract work “Being Born” at the Ohio Street feeder ramp. Or “Dialogo” beside the International Studies building on the University of Chicago campus. Or “Super Strength,” set into the wall of an engineering building at the University of Illinois at Chicago.