Ezequiel de León, the son of the renowned Sacred Art sculptor of the same name—widely regarded as the greatest exponent of religious carving in the Canary Islands during the 20th century—is a naturally self-taught artist. Despite growing up immersed in art, Ezequiel has carved out his own path. From a very young age, at just eight years old, he assisted his father with the creation of the famous Corpus Christi flower carpets in Villa de La Orotava, Tenerife—a tradition that dates back to 1847.

However, it wasn't until 1989 that he began creating his own works using colored earth as part of a daily display in a company linked to tourism in his hometown. From his hands emerged interpretations of masterpieces by the greatest painters: Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Velázquez, Goya, Murillo, and others. As his reputation grew, both locals and visitors began calling him "Velázquez."

In 1992, Ezequiel was invited by a committee of specialists to represent the Corpus Christi Carpet at EXPO-92 in Seville, where he achieved great success. That same year, he was awarded an Honor Diploma at the international level in Madrid for his work in Artistic Creativity. Between 1988 and 1996, he accompanied his father to the National Art Congresses organized by the Ministry of Culture in various Spanish provinces.

In 1996, Ezequiel took charge as the lead artist and executor of the Central Tapestry in the Town Hall Square—an artwork considered unique and universally renowned for its technique and the distinctive natural earths from Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, used in its creation. Today, 28 years later, as a Master Carpet Maker, Ezequiel de León has surpassed all his local predecessors in artistic quality and skill, as evidenced by numerous television reports and press coverage. He is recognized internationally by the small guild of carpet makers as one of the leading figures in this rare art form.

With over 35 years dedicated to carpets and teaching, Ezequiel has showcased his art in various parts of the world, including San Antonio, Texas (twice), and Mexico, where he participated in the International Meeting of Carpet Makers and was honored as a Distinguished Guest of the City of Huamantla. His work has also been displayed in Germany at the International Tourism Fair in Berlin, and in several Spanish provinces such as Pontevedra, Barcelona, and Rattan, as well as throughout his native Canary Islands.

This gathering of Carpet Artists at the Sarasota Int’l Chalk Festival is the first time in US history that delegations have come together in one location to showcase how cultures around the world approach this art form.