Mateo Blanco

Mateo Blanco (born 10 September 1981) is an American visual artist, and art collector known for creating mixed media artworks using unconventional materials. His works incorporate textiles, food products, feathers, paper currency, and found objects. His work has explored themes related to identity, American symbolism, popular culture, and material experimentation.

Blanco’s works have been exhibited in museums and galleries in the United States and internationally, including exhibitions at the Ripley's Believe It or Not. the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Butler Institute of American Art, the Museum of Art - DeLand , the Mennello Museum of American Art and the Orlando Museum of Art.

In addition to his visual art practice, Blanco studied commercial music and opera performance and has performed as a tenor.

Biography

Early life and education

Blanco was born in Miami, Florida. His parents moved to Medellín, Colombia and spent much of his childhood and youth there. Blanco received formal artistic training under Colombian painter Débora Arango. He later studied with Arturo Estrada Hernández, Jesusita Vallejo de Mora and Lola Vélez, and also pursued studies in Goldsmithing and Jewelry in Medellin.

After returning to the United States, Blanco attended Florida Atlantic University, where he studied commercial music. He additionally received classical opera training and participated in opera productions including La traviata, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni and Il Trovatore.

During his time in Medellín, Blanco developed connections with figures including former Colombian president Belisario Betancur, as well as artists Tomás Sánchez, David Manzur , Enrique Grau, Olga de Amaral, Beatriz González, Fernando Botero and his wife Sophia Vari.

Visual art Blanco is known for creating artworks using mixed media and unconventional materials.

Several of Blanco’s works reinterpret the flag of the United States through variations in color, texture, and material composition. According to The Butler Institute of American Art, these works address themes of identity, immigration, cultural plurality, and national symbolism.

In 2024, the Butler Institute of American Art presented , an exhibition featuring Blanco’s mixed media interpretations of the American flag and coincided with broader cultural programming connected to the United States Semiquincentennial commemorations.

Other work Blanco participated in opera productions in Colombia. Blanco performed alongside Aretha Franklin and appeared at an event honoring former George H. W. Bush.

Selected works Among Blanco’s works are (2023).

Other works include a portrait of actress Jennifer Lawrence using 9,658 Planters peanuts, a portrait of singer Dolly Parton made from fabric and textile materials, and a series titled .

Additional works by Blanco include cheetah sculptures created from Cheetos Puffs, portraits of singer Madonna incorporating carved wooden elements over her image for a 2D effect, a three dimensional replica of a FedEx truck created using dog hair, and a feather based sculpture depicting actress Sofía Vergara.

Documentary and publications In 2021, the documentary , focusing on Blanco and his artistic work, was presented at FusionFest in Orlando, Florida. Blanco’s work has also been referenced in publications including Odd is Art published by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in 2018, and Edward Meyer’s 2019 book Buying the Bizarre: Confessions of a Compulsive Collector .