Squaring the circle Print

We will begin by introducing Manuel Garriga Vazquez as an artist from the Marinero neighborhood of 'El Cabanyal', in Grao, in the city of Valencia, Spain. Here we refer to that place where his work is represented. Rooted strongly in place and time, he explores the evolution of his city and neighborhood. His pictorial influences are linked to the constant changes that his environment has undergone over the decades. It is very difficult to separate this artist from the numerous and profound cultural, social-political, economic and of course artistic shifts Valencia has experienced. As an artist his background is long. He began painting as a child, but the 1950s were not a conducive era for him to develop his pictorial desires. In the 1970s he worked as a draftsman in the city of Valencia, later working in the emerging Benidorm boom of the 60’s. This was interrupted by two years of mandatory military service in the Spanish Navy. After this he returned to help his parents and eventually wed and raised his own family. After turning 60 years old, the painter rededicated himself to painting.He enjoys exploring colors, his artwork is very color full. The recurring themes in his work these last 15 years are personal experiences or observations. Since resuming his art, he has gravitated towards abstract painting. However, as an eclectic artist he is also influenced by minimalism and surrealism.