César Manrique

César Manrique Cabrera (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈθesaɾ manˈrike] or [ˈsesaɾ manˈrike]) (24 April 1919 – 25 September 1992) was a Spanish artist, architect and nature activist from Lanzarote. In his early career he was primarily a painter, influencing early Spanish informalism and abstract art. He is however primarily known for his architectural projects in Lanzarote, constructed from the 1960s to 1990s. These were designed to promote sustainable tourism, while respecting the natural landscape and character of the island. As an activist, he worked to preserve the natural beauty and traditional architectural principles of Lanzarote, and was successful in his drive for regulation against high rise hotels. In 2019, the hundredth anniversary of his birth, the island's main airport was renamed in his honour.