Original 2023 Arrecife Lanzarote Large Carnival Poster Andrea Ruano Criado

Cesar Manrique transformed the island of Lanzarote, his birthplace, during his lifetime. Tragically killed in a fatal car accident in 1992, at just 72 years old, he was fundamentally an environmentalist, artist, sculptor and architect, deep thinker and lover and protector of his homeland. His work saved Lanzarote from becoming yet another spoiled Spanish tourist resort - destroyed by the need and greed to create an income from tourism at any cost. Manrique never forgot the history and heritage of his native island, built on volcanic lava and rock. He created a utopia of visitors' sites from the natural materials of the island - lava, rock, volcanic ash, whitewashed houses, cactus, palms and sand and sea and a vision of the volcanic island life that we hope will never be lost. Long may his legacy live on, as we take in the breathtaking beauty of his creations.

I myself was lucky to have been influenced by the island and the man himself, and of course the beautiful people of Lanzarote. My daughter is a Conejera (a female born in Lanzarote). This is my collection of work from both Cesar and the island of Lanzarote itself. Please do let me know know if there is anything you are looking for as I may be able to find it for you. I now live in Almeria in South Eastern Spain, a desert area that is also inspirational and recalls aspects of the island of Lanzarote. I am a total Hispanophile and Manriquephile!