Urban art has taken over from a natural symbol in Los Realejos. Muralist Adán Pérez Farráis has created a 12-meter high artwork on a concrete wall, bringing back to life the dragon tree that once stood as the emblem of the San Francisco neighborhood. This centenarian tree, over two centuries old, was toppled by Storm Regina on March 4, 2026, but its memory now endures through art.
The dragon tree was a meeting point and a place filled with memories for the residents. After its loss, the City Council, responding to citizen requests, contacted Pérez Farráis, who enthusiastically accepted the commission. "They felt it was a gift for them and for the memory of that special dragon tree. It was beautiful," the artist commented.
The creation of the mural, which took about two weeks, presented technical challenges. Pérez Farráis, known for his realistic style, had to overcome the difficulty of positioning a crane on a steep slope to work on the nearly 6-meter wide wall. "In the end, I managed to get the damn crane up," celebrated the artist, satisfied with the result.
“"I won't give my name out of embarrassment, I'm already of an age and they'll come after me. It turned out beautiful, it looks like it's still watching over the neighborhood from the wall."
Residents are coming to admire the work, which they believe not only beautifies the wall but also recovers an essential part of their history and memories. The resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted the artist's ability to capture the essence of the dragon tree with a realistic and relatable style.
The preparation of the wall, which belonged to a residential building, required several days of preliminary work, including cleaning, sanding, and repairing imperfections. Applying the paint, especially the blue background color, which used nearly 15 liters, was complex due to the wall's rough texture, demanding meticulous work for uniform coverage.
Adán Pérez Farráis has dedicated over a decade to professional muralism. His passion for painting began in childhood, experimenting with aerosols self-taught. Among his previous notable works is a mural honoring Don Antonio Hernández Oliva in Realejo Alto, nominated among the best works in May 2025.
