Sam Blanchard: Invisible Engines

Jan. 31–Feb. 27

Opening Reception: Friday, Jan. 31, 3–5 p.m.

Free and open to the public.

Pratt Munson Gallery | Museum of Art, Fountain Elms, 2nd Floor

Artist Bio:

Sam Blanchard (b. 1979) is an Ohio-born artist living and working in Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002 from Ohio University and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2004. He has an active international exhibition record with solo exhibitions at venues such as the Las Vegas Contemporary Art Center, The Delaware Contemporary, The Indianapolis Art Center, The New Gallery (Calgary, Ontario), and The Sculpture Center (Cleveland, Ohio). He is an Associate Professor of Sculpture within the School of Visual Arts at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.

Artist Statement: 

"I am interested in the role that unseen, unchecked, and seemingly unstoppable forces play in shaping our collective consciousness. 

In a world saturated with new technologies, the line between humanity and machine grows increasingly blurred with every data point. These technologies are embedding themselves in ways that cannot be undone, often operating beyond our perception and reshaping our culture and society with profound consequences.

Alongside this technological shift, we are witnessing stark economic contrasts, where a privileged few indulge in dreams of intergalactic exploration while the majority face economic instability and environmental decline. Our ambitions, once unified and grounded in collective goals, now feel directed by forces we couldn’t have anticipated a few decades ago. My work seeks to communicate the weight of these forces, inviting viewers to reflect on how they shape our lives, aspirations, and shared experiences. 

The works in “Invisible Engines” serve as visual narratives, capturing the absurdity of a dual consciousness torn between escapism and responsibility. To emphasize this connection, I often integrate colors, materials, and kinetic elements inspired by the design language of the aerospace industry, such as multi-axis platforms, trellised launch structures, and lunar landers. By recontextualizing these elements of power into futile assemblages, I aim to illuminate and question the paradox of our ambitions, encouraging viewers to reconsider the impact of these forces on our collective future.

www.samblanchard.com