YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Internationally acclaimed artist Mateo Blanco has donated two of his signature works to The Butler Institute of American Art.
The pieces are “Presidential Flag,” crafted in gold and platinum leaf as a tribute to Blanco’s friendship with former President George H.W. Bush; and “Yellow Flag,” a bold digital graphic from his celebrated Flags series. They now join the museum’s permanent collection.
An exhibition of Blanco’s work opened Sept. 29 at The Butler and will run through Dec. 1. It features several painted versions of the American flag.
In describing the exhibition, Blanco spoke of his love for the United States.
“All of us have different colors inside or outside,” he said. “We can change a color or a shape, but the magic and essence remain intact. It doesn’t matter what color or shape; it will always be recognizable. We have different colors of skin, hair, or even spirit, but all of us are Americans; the external differences hide what we are on the inside. I cherish my Colombian roots, but I love deeply my new homeland. It’s our differences what makes the United States so powerful, unique and rich.”
Blanco’s work, featured in institutions including the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Museum of Art – DeLand and the MAJA Museum in Jericó, Colombia, explores themes of politics, history and identity and bridges the ancestral with the contemporary.
“Art is a voice and a witness,” Blanco said in a press release announcing his gift to The Butler. “By donating these works to the Butler Institute, I ensure they become part of a shared cultural heritage accessible to all, and preserved for the future.”
The donation highlights Blanco’s commitment to making art a collective experience. Both pieces were previously exhibited at The Butler.
“It is such a daring direction for any artist to attempt such a highly charged theme as the flag,” said Louis A. Zona, executive director of The Butler. “Not only does Mateo Blanco exhibit the skills needed to portray such a common theme, but he must also deal with all that image represents. Beyond the artistry necessary to bring the flag symbol to artistic success, the artist must possess those skills that will certainly spell success.”
Blanco is recognized for his innovative use of American symbols and exploration of Colombian American identity. His work is included in major institutions worldwide and has been celebrated for its powerful engagement with culture, politics and history. He is also an opera performer who sang for former President George H.W. Bush in 2003.
Pictured at top: Artist Mateo Blanco.