A Geography of Colour
August 3 - 9 2025
“A landscape is not defined by the unreachable point where land meets sky. It is defined by the matter that lies under our feet.”
The retreat aims to foster creative reflection on color, materiality, and locality through harvesting and painting with natural pigments.
Activities include exploring the island with a focus on color and guided workshops to inspire artistic creation.
Participants will keep a color diary, collecting colors linked to the island, such as plants, stones, or local designs. This encourages a fresh perspective on color and materiality to inspire paintings connected to Lanzarote.
For who?
Every person and artist who is exploring, or wants to explore colour, based on the geography, culture and diversity of one of the world’s most inspiring islands: Lanzarote.
Workshops to be expected
How to process mineral pigments into paint. Introduction to grinding sifting and cataloguing
How process organic pigments into paint. An introduction to the basic organic and chemic processes behind it.
Painting workshops
technique
Introduction to color theory
how to work with structure
thinking beyond the canvas
Field trips
Visit to the studio of Cesar Manrique
Visits to cultural heritage sites & natural highlights
Visit to a taller or workshop of a local artist
About Zeno Aerts
In his artistic practice Zeno Aerts investigates the relationship between colour, materiality, and locality. By working with organic pigments from the land and shifting the scope from the distant to our direct surroundings, he opens the possibility for new ways to experience our environment and our place in it. As an environmentally engaged designer/ artist, Zeno has developed a philosophical sensibility to both existential human subjects and the natural world. Because he comes from a design oriented background, he can rely on a broad material knowledge to push for unique results in his art.
Hektor: a place of little wonders
Contemporary art and design meet the charm of an old Canarian farm brought back to life. Since 2021 Hektor’s owners have work relentlessly to renovate the farmhouse and regenerate the land.
In quiet village, centrally located on the island, this 20.000m2 terraced estate starts to rise as a green oasis. With over 300 new trees and bushes, an extensive permaculture vegetable garden and a herd of rescue farm animals, the farm reminds of the old days of the island.
At the same time, its comfortable suites full of art - from the personal collection as well as contributions of artists that resided at the farm - are an inspiration to every visitor.
All meals served at Hektor are plant based and homemade, mostly with produce from the organic garden.
An inspirational achievement
Shaun Fraser, artist in residence 2024
The program
Please note changes might still happen.
Sunday
Arrival, settle in & introduction dinner
Monday: introduction
breakfast
keeping a color diary assignment: intro and examples
installing the atelier
Hektor premises tour: sustainable living
lunch
introduction to color theory
harvest walk to the plateau above Los Valles
gather material for the following day
dinner
Tuesday: mineral pigments
breakfast
workshop: making pigments from chalks and clays up on the plateau (harvested the day before)
group discussion: how can we use those pigments to tell something about- or question our surroundings
lunch
the center of the island. Visit to the Timanfaya Geological Center. Guided walk in the park, teaching about the geology of the island.
dinner
Wednesday: plant pigments
breakfast
workshop: making ink from plants in the garden and kitchen.
intro to fabric dying with plants
free atelier time + individual tutoring
lunch
focus on the north of the island.
explore, work on the color diary; gather materials
visit to Haria studio and house of Cesar Manrique
dinner & discussion about the impact of Cesar Manrique
Thursday: thinking beyond paper & canvas
breakfast
workshop: moving beyond the canvas: working with structure; medium and carrierfree painting. group discussion about our color diary and inspiration
lunch
Patricia Betancourt studio visit: island identity through design and architecture. how to work with heritage
focus on the south of the island: exploring Los Ajaches
free afternoon to look for pigments/ finish work
Friday: putting everything together
breakfast
time in the workshop with possibility for personal feedback
lunch
presentation of the color diary: the palette & additional works
sunset dinner on the beach
I would love to join the retreat (Aug 3 - 9)
Please complete the following form to participate in this unique retreat. We will come back to you within 24 hours with availability and the next steps. Please note that your spot will only be secured after paying a deposit.
The first five participants get an early bird discount (on the prices mentioned).
What is included?
All meals from Sunday evening to Friday
Filtered tap water (bring your refill bottle(s))
A specialty coffee and/or tea every day
Transport to and from group activities
Entrance fees for activities mentioned in program
What is not included?
Alcoholic beverages
Transport in free time and to and from the airport (we are happy to connect you in case you would like to share a car rental)