Smile

“Smile” (2000) is an early Jorge Blanco sculpture, with many features that would become famous characteristics of his later works. The title itself represents Blanco’s primary goal as an artist: to bring happiness and excitement to people through the medium. The lemon-shaped head is complemented by the yellow color, symbolizing exuberance and joy, with upturned curved arms above the long legs suggesting the smile more than any mark on the head could. The combination of stark lines and circles to indicate eyes are ubiquitous in Blanco’s sculptures, brilliantly showing his mastery of movement. This piece looks like a man striding towards victory, pumping both hands to the sky. A much larger version stands along the Boulevard of the Arts near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida, the site of Blanco’s workshop.