The Ripley’s Museum on International Drive in Orlando continued its legacy of oddities today with their newest exhibition, featuring world-renowned opera singer, artist and writer Mateo Blanco.
Mateo’s work uses colored sugar crystals, which he layers slowly to make up some of his favorite Marvel and Avatar characters to make pieces that measure 4 feet tall!
Mateo says he chooses his art work subjects from his childhood: he has always been a Marvel fan, and often likes to create pieces of characters with a strong persona.
The pieces take about 2 months each to build up, since they are built up in layers of colored sugar. He realized that the sugar glues best at low temperatures, and that the glue even repels any insects that might otherwise want to “eat” the pieces!
His inspiration to create these “odd” paintings came from a Mexican Tradition during the Feast of Corpus Christi celebrations, where similar, but religious art works are made out of colored sand, and built on street corners during Holy Week. “I love art and sugar. So I decided to unify them into something positive,” said Blanco. “I want people to transform any situation into something positive and creative.” And create something, he did! Although these pieces are made entirely out of sugar, it’s not edible because of the glue he uses to get the sugar to stick.
While two of his paintings will remain at the Ripley’s Museum in Orlando, one of them will be moving to other halls around the United States. He already has pieces at the Ripley’s Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
Stay tuned, because Mateo is currently working on a new piece–but won’t say what it will be!
Ripley’s is located on International Drive by the new I-Drive 360 complex. The museum is open from 9am until 11pm 365 days a week. For more information and to buy tickets, visit Ripley’s website here!
Orlando Fun and Food wants to thank Ripley’s Orlando and Mateo Blanco for inviting us out to spend the day with them! We wish Mateo the best in all his future endeavors!
Adriana Osegueda
My name is Adriana. When I'm not juggling my studies as an Aerospace Engineer, I spend my time at Disney theme parks. I love all things rockets and Orlando, and as a cheap college student myself, I look forward to writing about ways to save you money!
