PRICE ON REQUEST
SR-71 Blackbird aircraft sculpture by Lockheed Corporation, in black, by artist Antoine DUFILHO
Fuselage – Painted stainless-steel plates
Dimensions: 65 cm x 25 cm
Original edition of 8
Weight: approximately 32 kg
The SR-71 Blackbird sculpture by Antoine Dufilho reinterprets one of the most extraordinary aircraft in the history of aviation. The French sculptor applies his distinctive approach of deconstructing volumes to the famous American reconnaissance aircraft, using a succession of sections that allow the viewer’s gaze to pass through the work. The instantly recognizable silhouette of the Blackbird, with its slender fuselage, delta wings and spectacular lines, lends itself particularly well to Antoine Dufilho’s artistic language. As with his celebrated automotive sculptures, Antoine Dufilho does not seek to create a simple model of the SR-71.
The aircraft is transformed into a true contemporary sculpture. Its structure is fragmented into a succession of planes alternating between solid material and empty space. Depending on the viewer’s position, these different elements align or separate, creating the impression that the aircraft is being reassembled before the viewer’s eyes. Movement thus emerges from the act of moving around the artwork, even though the sculpture itself remains perfectly still.
The SR-71 Blackbird, an icon in the history of aviation
Developed by Lockheed within its Skunk Works division, the SR-71 Blackbird made its first flight in 1964 and entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1966. Designed to carry out strategic reconnaissance missions at extremely high altitudes and very high speeds, it could exceed Mach 3 and fly at altitudes above 25,000 meters. Its exceptional performance, combined with its distinctive aesthetics, helped make the SR-71 one of the most famous aircraft of the 20th century. Its black finish, extremely elongated fuselage and futuristic forms give it an appearance that remains spectacular decades after its conception. The Blackbird is therefore a particularly fitting subject for Antoine Dufilho’s work. The aircraft’s speed, aerodynamics and taut lines naturally extend the artist’s exploration of movement.
Antoine Dufilho: from automobiles to aviation
Primarily known for his sculptures of Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti, Mercedes and Aston Martin automobiles, Antoine Dufilho also applies his artistic language to the great icons of aviation. Having previously interpreted the Dassault Rafale and Concorde, the artist turns his attention with the SR-71 Blackbird to an aircraft whose silhouette is radically different. This aviation sculpture nevertheless retains the fundamental principles of his work: the decomposition of volume, the interplay between solid and void, the repetition of structures and the perception of movement.
Seen from the side, the silhouette of the SR-71 is immediately apparent. As the viewer moves around the sculpture, the aircraft gradually fragments and takes on a much more abstract dimension. The SR-71 Blackbird thus joins the Rafale and Concorde among Antoine Dufilho’s aircraft sculptures, illustrating the expansion of his artistic universe beyond legendary automobiles.
Buy Antoine Dufilho’s SR-71 Blackbird sculpture
Class Art Biarritz offers Antoine Dufilho’s SR-71 Blackbird sculpture to contemporary art collectors and aviation enthusiasts alike. Through its spectacular subject matter and the artist’s immediately recognizable sculptural language, the work brings together two worlds of collecting: contemporary art and aviation history.
To enquire about the price, dimensions, materials, edition size and availability of Antoine Dufilho’s SR-71 Blackbird sculpture, please contact Class Art Biarritz directly.
More information about artist Antoine DUFILHO
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