Did you know that César Manrique was one of the first artists in Europe to speak about sustainability? Since the late 60s, as Canary coastlines and landscapes filled with construction, he raised his voice, proposing a balance in which art and nature would be one.
“Art must be an act of resistance against the destruction of our environment.”
César Manrique
Manrique was much more than an artist: he was a revolutionary of art and a pioneer of environmental activism. Born in Lanzarote in 1919, he dedicated his life to preserving and beautifying his native island, blending art and nature into a harmonious relationship that sought to protect the environment long before sustainability became a global issue.
Firmly convinced that progress and respect for the landscape could coexist, Manrique transformed Lanzarote into a place where architecture and volcanic nature blend together. Iconic spaces like Jameos del Agua, where a volcanic cave becomes a place of peace and natural beauty, reflect his visionary approach.
But Manrique's vision went beyond aesthetics; he championed the balance between development and the environment, and each of his works reflects his desire to preserve Lanzarote's essence while turning art into a form of resistance. In projects like the "Jameos del Agua" or the "Jardín de Cactus", his message lives on: humanity can create without destroying.
Inspired by this ideal, at Afrika Project, we see fashion as an act of respect and dialogue with the world around us. Our Utopian Paradise collection embraces this philosophy: each handwoven piece reflects the essence of Lanzarote, from its volcanic hues to the geometric forms present in Manrique's work. These garments are an invitation to reflect on how we can coexist with our surroundings and how fashion can also be a channel for consciousness and respect for nature.
At Afrika Project, we join César Manrique’s message: we create not just fashion but a tribute to his legacy and the need for a future in harmony with the environment.
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