American Artist Mateo Blanco Creates a Portrayal of the American Flag Made from His Clothing

(Senmer News Wire)

Mateo Blanco | Photo by Carlos Amoedo
July 4 , 2020 by Mateo Blanco
Rosembaum Contemporary | Mateo Blanco Art

Orlando, Jul 24, 2020 (Senmer News Wire) – New work by Mateo Blanco, July 4, 2020, represents life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
As our country faces a pandemic and signs of a nation divided, the need for hope and happiness is greater than ever before. Renowned artist and proud American Mateo Blanco has seen these signs and is making a stand for unity through his art.
Blanco created July 4, 2020, a portrayal of the American flag made from his clothing. Each of the iconic colors making up the flag not only has meaning to this country but to Blanco personally. The white fabric was made from a shirt he often wore while studying at Florida Atlantic University as he worked hard to not only gain knowledge but wisdom. The red stripes are created from his lucky interview shirt, something he typically wore while spreading his art and message with others. The blue swatch was from the favorite blue workout shirt he wore when trying to get healthy. All fabrics and colors used in the piece represent Blanco putting his best foot forward, which is exactly what he’s encouraging all other Americans to do.
“As a principle, everything I do is through love and happiness,” said Blanco. “But right now, everywhere I look in my beloved country, I see pain—we are separated. In order to overcome our struggles, we must individually put our best selves forward and unite as a nation.”
This isn’t the first time Blanco has used fabric in his art. He’s also created Coat of Many Colors, a portrait of Dolly Parton; and Joseph, Coat of Many Colors, a tribute to Jewish history. In fact, Blanco is known for his whimsical use of unusual mediums like Smarties®, coffee beans and rope.
“Typically, my work is light-hearted and fun. I create my art to spread joy,” Blanco said. “However, for July 4, 2020, I knew I needed to use my platform to share a bigger message. We must come together as a united country.”
Although July 4, 2020, was created this year, its inspiration goes all the way back to the 1950s. After admiring Jasper John’s Flag painting, Blanco thought that while this was a beautiful representation of America in the past, it wasn’t reflective of the society we’re currently living in. He immediately got to work to create a modern representation of this famous piece, giving it his own unique twist.
July 4, 2020, along with other works by Mateo Blanco, including Hopi Girl, made from rope; Ellen, a portrait of Ellen DeGeneres made from coffee beans; and Desire, a series of Madonna portraits which change when viewed from different angles, can be purchased through the Rosenbaum Contemporary gallery in Boca Raton, Florida.
Rosenbaum Contemporary, founded in 1979, is based in Boca Raton, Florida. The gallery caters to international collectors interested in investment-quality works by Postwar, Modern and Contemporary masters and presents nationally recognized museum-level exhibitions throughout the year. The gallery also offers a wide range of free services to collectors worldwide including acquisition advice, art consulting, sourcing of artists, art collection building and management and resale of select works of art.
For more information, contact:
Howard Rosenbaum, President
561-994-9180, howardr@rosenbaumcontemporary.com
High-res. photos available upon request from Julie Kolka, Web/Marketing Manager, juliek@rosenbaumcontemporary.com, 561-994-4422 x136