America 250: Orlando Museum of Art Presents Mateo Blanco's Arhuaco Flag
The Floridant/10341718

ORLANDO, Fla. - Floridant -- As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its independence, the Orlando Museum of Art presents Arhuaco Flag, a major work by Colombian American artist Mateo Blanco, as part of its exhibition USA 250.

On display through November 8, the exhibition brings together works that explore the history, ideals, and evolving identity of the United States at one of the most significant milestones in the nation's history.

Within this broader dialogue, Arhuaco Flag offers a contemporary perspective on heritage, belonging, and the enduring values that continue to shape the American experience. Reimagining the American flag through handwoven fibers, natural dyes, and ancestral craftsmanship, the work transforms one of the nation's most recognizable symbols into a meditation on memory, freedom, and shared identity.

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Created by Blanco in collaboration with members of the Arhuaco community of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the work was woven from hand-harvested cotton and dyed using traditional botanical methods passed down through generations. The piece brings together ancestral knowledge and contemporary artistic practice while speaking to broader themes of cultural exchange, resilience, and continuity across generations.

"This work is among the most meaningful pieces I have ever created," Blanco said. "I was born in the United States, raised between cultures, and shaped by different traditions and histories. This flag reflects the America I know—an America built on freedom, resilience, opportunity, and the contributions of people from many backgrounds. As we celebrate 250 years of independence, this work honors both where we come from and the shared future we are creating together."

For the Arhuaco people, weaving is more than an artistic practice; it is a means of preserving memory, transmitting knowledge, and maintaining a relationship with the natural world. By bringing those traditions into conversation with one of America's most enduring symbols, Blanco creates a work that bridges generations, cultures, and histories.

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"The American experience has always been shaped by perseverance, innovation, cultural exchange, and hope," Blanco added. "As we celebrate this historic milestone, it is important to recognize the many people and traditions that have contributed to our nation's strength and character. Our shared history continues to evolve, and one of America's greatest strengths has always been its ability to bring diverse experiences together into something larger than ourselves."

Presented as part of the Orlando Museum of Art's USA 250 exhibition, Arhuaco Flag stands as both a tribute to the nation's first 250 years and an invitation to consider the generations yet to come. The work reminds viewers that America's story is continually shaped by the many people, traditions, and experiences that contribute to its future.