I am Cancún too! Alan Vázquez, Ecological Artist

Cancun is a multicultural city and all of its inhabitants are part of the huge puzzle that gives life to our community. Every single “cancunense” should feel proud to say: I am Cancun!

In recent years, the arts and culture sector have taken off with great strength through the efforts of many people who struggle every day to make Cancun the cultural capital of the Caribbean.

Inspired by the privilege of living in the Mexican Caribbean, great local talents adorn public and private areas with beautiful and original works of art.

Get to know a little about the life and work of one of its main characters, the ecological artist Alan Vazquez.

Alan Vazquez arrived at Cancun in 2005 and began his career as an ecological artist after Hurricane Wilma.

His first solo exhibition was held on December 21, 2005 at the 100% Natural restaurant with works that were carried out from the material found in the streets and that had been swept away by the fierce winds of the powerful Category 5 hurricane and with other materials that had been thrown away.

From the beginning, his greatest inspiration came from the natural wealth of Quintana Roo, especially from its majestic plant and animal species.

The paintings and sculptures by Alan Vazquez are found in private collections in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Holbox, and the Riviera Maya.

As well as in many cities across the length and breadth of Mexico.

His works have gone as far away as Canada, Argentina, Germany and even Australia.

Some of his works can also be found permanently in public spaces such as "The Echo of the Giants" (2010) in the House of Culture of Isla Holbox.

As well as the "Treasure of Quintana Roo" (2012) at Xel-Há.

His passion for the conservation of the environment and in order to generate awareness in others motivated him to carry out art workshops with recycled material and to create art large format ...

With the help of children and adults alike. This photo was taken during the Love Cancun’s  First Eco-Cultural Fair.

Alan has been involved in charitable causes including institutions such as Save The Children in Quintana Roo (good excuse to share his photo with famous singer Benny Ibarra).

For two consecutive years he has organized the creation of huge pink ribbons with the participation of hundreds of people who support the fight against cancer with Grupo Desafío. This was in 2011 in the Hotel Zone.

This one was in 2012 at the Atlante stadium.

Alan Vazquez has donated works to support vulnerable people in our community as well as for the conservation of endemic species such as sea turtles...

Whale sharks, crocodiles and jaguars, among others.

Alan was one of the first artists in the city to make live painting performances  and this has been his hallmark in events of great significance as in the "Concert for Peace" to benefit APAFDEM, which that took place at the Teatro de Cancun.

Also at the concert of the iconic rock group Jaguares, which took place in Xcaret to benefit the conservation of the jaguar.

At the WWF ‘s Earth Hour in Forum by the Sea

AS well as in the 25th Anniversary of Amigos de Sian Ka'an.

Many of Alan’s creations have been signed by internationally renowned celebrities such as members of the Level 42 rock band.

Franco de Vita

Nicho Hinojosa

Aleks Syntek

And of course, Caifanes, to name a few.

These works have been sold or auctioned to support causes like The CRIT-Teletón, El Eden Ecological Reserve, and Flora, Fauna y Cultura de Mexico.

His sculptures created with scrap materials have been exposed in forums as significant as in the COP16’s Villa Climática in Cancun.

Among his most rewarding and meaningful achievements  are to have created the largest ecological mural in Mexico's found in Cancun.

As well as the creation of the first large-format paintings paying homage to the people who are struggling to control tuberculosis in Mexico. The work "Promise for Life" is on display at the General Hospital of Mexico City.

Besides his great success locally and statewide, Alan has been invited by the states of Sonora, Veracruz, Chiapas and Tabasco to create murals in public spaces that promote awareness and the protection of the environment.

For this and much more, we can say that Alan Vazquez also is Cancun!

Learn more about the work of Alan (check out this video) and his support, collaboration and sponsorship to many Love Cancun projects, visit at his website.

This article was originally published in http://cancun360.mx