Iván T., muralist in Lanzarote: "I like to leave a message in which one can reflect on it"

The Argentine artist, who has resided on the island for five years, acknowledges that in each work he "seeks a hope or a phrase that makes people think"

Eider Pascual

Journalist

May 5 2024 (09:29 WEST)
Updated in May 5 2024 (10:59 WEST)
The muralist, Iván T.
The muralist, Iván T.

The Argentine muralist and resident of Lanzarote, Iván T., is known on the island for his spectacular paintings that decorate the walls of some parts of the volcanic island. A graphic designer who arrived in Lanzarote five years ago to embark on art. "I dedicate myself to painting pictures and murals and to digital illustration work. I started with murals in houses, restaurants and I have been expanding my work to street level", he recalls to La Voz about his professional career since his beginnings on the island. 

His career has always been focused on treating messages on social issues. Letting his art pass through prisons and associations since his beginnings in Argentina and continuing to echo inclusion through murals, based on Sectorial Realism, to defend, among other causes, the rights of LGTBI+ people. "I like to leave a message in which one can reflect on it", he specified. In Lanzarote, some of his murals are focused on various social issues that dominate the current affairs in Spain. In the Pavón square of Tías, he has drawn about the prevention of gender violence for adolescents. "In each work I look for a hope or a phrase that makes you think", he added.

In the social sphere, but also in the cultural one. Iván takes advantage of the cultural events that the island hosts to give free rein to his creativity. The most famous mural that is located in Arrecife is the one dedicated to the Lanzarote singer and favorite daughter of the capital, Rosana Arbelo. "It was ten long days of work, which with the help of a team of friends and family, we got it forward", he detailed. A painting created on the occasion of the singer-songwriter's visit in the summer of 2023 to give the opening speech at the San Ginés festivities.

In addition, the Argentine artist is aware of the feminist struggle and sports. He has painted two murals in the wrestling ground, one in homage to Heracles and another to female Canarian wrestling. In parallel, he has different paintings available for sale, also in street markets and activities in which he approaches events to draw paintings. "They give me between 15 minutes and an hour to portray the moment", he pointed out. Something he has carried out in opera and classical music concerts on the island, such as those held in the Jameos del Agua. Afterwards, these paintings are used for buying and selling or for use by the Institutions. 

For him, the Canary Islands has been a place where he can develop his art freely. Moya, a municipality of Gran Canaria, houses fifteen murals made by this artist, with one of his creations measuring 250 meters. An opportunity for the painter who is eternally grateful and fortunate for the welcome he has received from the archipelago. "It is a privilege that it can have continuity, it is not easy to make a living from art", he revealed. He recognizes that since his arrival in Spain he has had to reinvent himself again to be able to dedicate himself to making murals. "I am very grateful, I have had to make the road from scratch, all based on effort", the artist stressed. 

LavaArtEspacio a painting center in Playa Honda

An extensive artistic career in Lanzarote that is complemented by a studio called LavaArtEspacio. A small painting center that he shares with a friend in Playa Honda. A place destined to make his own paintings, to teach workshops and to welcome different artists who do not have a place to give free rein to their work. "In the studio we paint our paintings and offer a place to artists who do not have a place to give their workshops", he pointed out. The innovative workshops to paint neon paintings, already implemented as activities in cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, are a source of energy for leisure or recreational activities on the island. 

From his artistic collective, he demands more places on the island where artists can develop their creativity, for example in Arrecife, a city where the regulations are not so strict. "It is necessary to enable an area to have spaces where artists can express their art", he urged as a proposal. In his case, in his beginnings, he had to experience the discomfort of not having a space to practice his profession. "I was a long time without a fixed space, it was a problem, I recognize that an artist needs a quiet space of freedom", he explained. 

Given the greater influence of this urban art in the different towns of the Peninsula and also of the Canary Islands, the artist proposes to give special attention also at the tourist level. "Urban art is a global trend and also, it is a way to attract tourism." Many of the visitors to the Islands will be delighted to be attracted by this special art. In the same way that all the "talented artists" of Lanzarote want to continue to be part of the beautification of the towns and cities. "I have to confess that my mouth waters when I see those big walls", the artist recalled. 

Find your inspiration in the landscapes of Lanzarote

The muralist Matías, from 'Sabotaje al montaje', is his greatest inspiration. An expert in painting murals that he already knew before arriving on the island. "I have always had him as a reference and I share friendship with him", Iván specified. In his meetings to talk about art, Iván is always willing to learn from Matías. "He is like a student with a teacher, I like to sit down to see his works and learn from him", he stressed. But, it is not the only inspiration he has in his day to day, what he visualizes in the landscapes of Lanzarote also makes him feel inspired. "I take reference from the shape of the mountains and palm trees, the sea, etc.", he revealed. 

So high is his originality, that recently arrived on the island he was lucky enough to become the winner of several contests, which made him opt for this artistic field. "Winning three contests on the island encouraged me to try as a muralist", he recalled. Being a muralist is his main objective as an artist, as long as his personal circumstances allow him to dedicate himself to it. "I have always been self-employed and I have nothing more than art and what my hands produce as long as I have health." At the moment, he is still exploring other aspects such as sculpture, in which he is in "the process of learning and practicing", he added.

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