For most people, Playmobil figures are childhood toys. For Roberto Rodríguez, they became a lifelong passion, an artistic medium and ultimately a way to celebrate Canarian culture.
The Tenerife-born artist, who teaches Art and Robotics at Colegio Nazaret in Los Realejos, has gained recognition for his unique Playmobil-inspired creations, many of which showcase the traditions, customs and identity of the Canary Islands.
A Childhood Passion That Never Disappeared
Roberto’s connection with Playmobil began at an early age.
Growing up surrounded by the iconic figures, he spent countless hours creating his own worlds and reimagining familiar scenes.
“I grew up with Playmobil,” he recalls. “I recreated the Santa Cruz Carnival stage, processions and romerías. Castles became churches because I customised everything.”
What began as imaginative play would eventually become the foundation of a distinctive artistic career.
Combining Art and Education
Now approaching 45, Roberto found a way to bring together his two passions: teaching and creativity.
While working with educational robotics and Lego in the classroom, he continued developing artistic projects inspired by Playmobil. Encouraged by his father during a period living in Berlin, he began transforming the famous figures into the centrepiece of his artwork.
The result was a growing collection of illustrations and designs that blended Playmobil characters with Canarian traditions and culture.
Giving Playmobil a Canarian Identity
Among Roberto’s most recognised creations are his Canarian-themed Playmobil characters, including:
✔ The traditional mago and maga from La Orotava
✔ The iconic alfombrista who creates the famous Corpus Christi carpets
✔ Numerous figures inspired by local festivals, folklore and island traditions
His work initially received mixed reactions, with some questioning the use of Playmobil figures to represent traditional cultural themes.
Over time, however, attitudes changed and the creations gained widespread recognition.
International Recognition
A turning point came when Roberto was invited to participate in one of Spain’s most important Playmobil fairs in Catalonia.
The response exceeded all expectations.
“I sold every piece in a single day,” he recalls.
The success opened new opportunities and attracted interest from businesses and organisations looking to collaborate on future projects.
Official Approval From Playmobil
One of the most significant milestones in Roberto’s journey arrived in 2018.
While working on a potential hotel project inspired by Playmobil, contact was established with the company itself. In March of that year, Roberto received official authorisation from the brand to create and publicly display his Playmobil-based artwork.
Today, his public creations are viewed and recognised by Playmobil itself, a remarkable achievement for someone who simply grew up loving the toys.
Bringing Tradition to New Audiences
One of Roberto’s latest projects has been the official festival programme artwork for the Fiestas de Los Realejos, featuring Playmobil characters reimagined with a distinctly Canarian touch.
It’s a fitting example of how he continues to combine creativity, culture and nostalgia, introducing local traditions to new audiences through one of the world’s most recognisable toy brands.
What started as a childhood hobby has become a unique artistic career, proving that inspiration can sometimes come from the simplest places.