Visit to The César Manrique Foundation

On Saturday, I visited the César Manrique Foundation in Tahiche, Lanzarote, and was reminded that being an artist doesn’t have to mean a life of introspection and solitude. Manrique’s house was built for parties, with volcanic passageways leading to seating areas, a pool, and even a dance floor. Situated on a lava flow from the volcanic eruption of 1730–1736, this ambitious architectural project was a bold vision of modernity. The expansive studio, now a gallery, showcases a selection of Manrique’s large abstract paintings—rich in texture, colour, and form, echoing the rugged beauty of Lanzarote’s landscape.

Yesterday, I travelled to Haría to visit the farmhouse Manrique renovated in the 1980s, where he spent the final years of his life seeking serenity and inspiration from nature. I found myself drawn to this home even more—it’s the cosy and spacious, exuding warmth and tranquillity. His studio is every artist’s dream!